What is the general opinion on something like a suede Wintec at rated dressage shows? Young mare is still growing and I would like to keep the Wintec going while she grows and muscles up. Looking to do First Level this coming season and am not sure if there will be a negative strike against us. I know it shouldn’t matter but wanted to get the hive minds opinion.
No one will care 
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its totally fine
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“Hard to see on a galloping horse.” 
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Not only will no one care, but very few will even notice.
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This was something I was really worried about (unnecessarily) when I bought my first Wintec and it has been a complete non-issue.
No one will care if you’re in a $7,000 saddle or a $700 one. They’re too busy worrying about themselves and their horses 
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Mine isn’t synthetic suede but it’s still an elcheapo synthetic (thorowgood). No one will know!
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Absolutely not an issue. Ride in what is comfortable for you and your horse within the rules. Synthetic is within the rules. My Wintec will (let’s face it, probably be replaced with another because the fabric does eventually wear out) be pried out of my cold dead arms. No touchy!
Seriously, I may never have seen such a look of disappointment on someone’s face as when the fitter I had out to check (because horse aging and I had just done some adjustments for that and was worried) and had to say, “It’s not awful. I don’t know what would be better for the horse.” (for me is another story, but it’s not The Worst fit for me, so I suck it up knowing my horse is happy in it.)
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I rode a young horse at a rated dressage show in a monoflap jump saddle with pink blocks…because that’s what fit him at the time! And nobody cared!
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Thanks everyone. I know it shouldn’t matter if it’s allowed in the rules but it still makes you feel a little like an imposter when you are first dipping your toes into rated showing.
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You might appreciate this - It’s the Wintec at the Olympics ridden by Isabell Werth.
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