Along with Thomas’s interesting commentary, consider the vehicle you are driving. Road Cart is not easily entered, as a Phaeton is or an Easy Entry cart. So sometimes Driver and Passenger NEED to wear dressy pants.
In my time being critiqued by Tom Ryder and Leslie Kozely, they actually mentioned this point. They used me for all kinds of examples!! Tom pointed out the features of our Road cart, height, to have to reach for entry in front of wheel, along with getting over the shaft. Back entry over seat was safer with folding seatbacks, but still a long stretch for the person to reach basket with legs. He said such a design was a “slacks only” vehicle for ladies to drive. We were NOT to be giving “Free Shows” by wearing skirts in this style vehicle, because it WOULD NOT influence the Judge’s opinion, though he might be smiling thru the class! Leslie was laughing pretty hard, but agreed with everything said.
Then Tom talked about my hat in front of the whole group too!
I had a great time at that Clinic and those Gentlemen put a LOT of gossip and myths about Driving attire and correctness, their expectations, FASHION and color in hats and skirts or slacks, lap robes as opposed to aprons, to rest. They told why some items were “just poor choices” in clothing or hat styling on both genders. Much had to do with practicality, like my slacks while driving the Road Cart. Skirt just would be a BAD choice because lady driver would have difficulty staying modest when entering. Skirt with an easy entry cart would be fine, let driver retain her modesty in entering. Much tradition mixed in, but they were not opposed to color on turnouts. Complimented my red hat in both color and style, for being attractive, staying on well in a carriage. You should have HEARD the gasping sounds from the crowd!!
All this was a great revelation to me, because I had heard terrible things about both men from previous exhibitors whom they had judged. Heard about their taste in color, styles, SLACKS on lady drivers and ESPECIALLY how they BOTH HATED RED HATS and would not place anyone wearing one!! All just before entering the ring for performance and evaluation by them AND their collection of Learner Judges!! I was REALLY braced for some scathing commentary, since I chose my attire to look nice on me, go with the horse, but got no negative remarks at all. Rather limp with relief after!! Thanked them for all the helpful information and nice remarks on the turnout.
Talked with the other folks again after the evaluations finished and they were all quite shocked about the Red Hat remarks and clothing comments. Changed everything they “knew” about the Judging that was used for Pleasure Driving and why people placed or did not place. Very eye opening for all of us.
Times have changed, but still a lot of folks trying to follow ideas that are NOT locked in stone, like the red hat thing.
My grey laprobe has no pattern, just a little textured, Nubby, with flecks of white and black all over it. Flecks only visible very close up. Very breathable material in the heat, but not what you would want on a rainy day. We have a wool apron, but is an extremely light weight, lined with satin like a dress coat. Doesn’t stick to your slacks or pants while worn or walking. Professionally made to match husband’s dress coat, ending above the ankles when put on correctly, with top up high above waist level to cover clothing. Still very warm in our humid conditions of summer. June humidity can be up in the 80 percent in midday competition, with temps up around 80F degrees. Wool would not be my first choice in material, too much work to maintain in summer showing.
I will tell husband about tucking in the corners when entering. Will be easier to get apron on him while standing on the ground, than when in the vehicle, to avoid tripping over it climbing up to his seat. Thank you Thomas for the tip.
I have a pattern, and am wondering what the most suitable sort of fabric would be. I am very, very much going to be sticking to amateur/low level stuff for the foreseeable future: pleasure classes, mini-cones fun classes, maybe MAYBE a Training level CDE in the next year or two.
