Just curious I have buttery soft dress boots which are super comfortable and then I have some really elegant but stiff as stove pipe dress boots. The latter were much more expensive, but aren’t nearly as comfortable and I was thinking of selling them. Then someone mentioned in another thread about using her soft boots for everyday and showing in the stiffer boots. I concede the lines are indeed more elegant in the stiffer boots but I can’t feel my horse nearly as well. Thoughts?
I prefer a stiff boot, but if you don’t that’s fine. I find my stiff boots to be comfortable once the ankle is broken in. I like the stiff shaft, my that sounds racy, anyway as I think it helps emphasize my leg aid. YMMV
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Ride in what you are more comfortable in and are most effective in.
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I have both and love my buttery soft boots. That said, once I adjusted to my stiff boots, I like them as well, but it took some break in time and some adaptation on my part to use my leg a little bit differently (can’t cheat with my heel as much!)
Regardless, I would not school in one type of boot and swap to an entirely different type of boot just for showing based on how it looks. If you don’t ride in that type of boot regularly, you will not likely ride as effectively.
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I’ve shown in both Cavallo stiff pull on boots and Mountain Horse Victoria front zip boots which are like wearing socks. Show in whatever you are most comfortable and effective in and that hits the right price point for you.
The only think I don’t love about the MH boots is that they don’t hold a really shiny polish very well, unlike the Cavallo boots.
I have a pair of Cavallo “off the shelf” boots - they are a bit stiff on the outside of the boot, and soft on the inside - definitely NOT stove pipe stiff. I rode for years in MH boots - super comfy. I tried a pair of VERY STIFF boots, and couldn’t imagine riding in them. But I’ve come to like the medium boots 
I have both, though my stiff ones are not stove pipe stiff. I ride in the softer ones all winter long - they are slightly big and I can wear thick socks with them. I switch in the spring to the stiffer boots. I can’t imagine switching back and forth just to show. I alway have to really think about my leg when I first switch back to the stiffer ones. What feels like my leg on the horse is actually my leg against the inside of my boot - often nowhere near the horse.
Hi, I think others have posted similar questions in the past and I always read with interest – My own post on this subject is at https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/dressage/168665-why-are-dressage-boots-so-stiff
Bottom line, it does NOT seem like stiff boots are intended to help you in your dressage riding – but for show/appearance. I have some deniros which are just slightly stiff but not that inexpensive. You might want to try Tredstep Raphaels which have a lot of size/width/height options for a reasonable price. Best of luck!
Thanks for the replies. I think I will try to sell the Ariats. They’re beautiful but just not my cup of tea. The soft boots I have are the Tuff Rider Wellesley Tall Boots. Really lovely boots for the price point and SO comfortable.
Stiff boots can actually be really comfortable when they are broken in and you may find you really appreciate how much they can help keep your leg quiet and in position. I could never go back to floppy boots now.
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This isn’t really correct. Bottom line, wear what works for you. BUT also know that stiff boots make it very difficult to grip with your lower leg, which in turn causes you to let go with your seat and really go with the horse making a correct dressage seat much easier to achieve. There’s a reason that expert riders choose the tools they do. Jumping riders need a grippy lower leg, dressage riders benefit by a stiff boot to let that leg go. Beyond that, do what works for you. A boot that truly fits you shouldn’t be uncomfortable. I have soft boots for jumping and Koenig Grandgesters and both boots are comfortable because both fit me properly.
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I agree with BigMama and Scruffy above. I prefer a stiffer boot for showing and clinics. I have a pair of old beaters for everyday. My horse listens better to a stiffer shafted boot. I can feel his sides just fine. Breaking in a stiff boot takes time and can be painful. It helps to use heel lifts till the leather breaks in and the ankles fall a bit.
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Interesting to see when Robert Dover was teaching the 13 yo at the clinic this week, he explained to the mother how important it was to get the kid proper stiff dressage boots (couldn’t tell, but assume she was wearing field boots or soft dress boots) because she had far too much movement in her ankles and lower leg
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Hi, Which rider was this? I’ve really enjoyed watching these sessions.
When I went back to the thread I posted, I guess I misremembered, thinking there was consensus – or, perhaps there was another thread? I seem to recall some long-time dressage riders talking about the transition from soft to stiff boots and somehow got the impression it was largely about appearance. But I will not be contradicting Robert Dover ;-).
Hmmm, very good and interesting point. Okay. Guess I’ll be keeping them then. Thanks!
He mentioned them multiple times. I thought it was Ben Ebeling where he was getting into the functionality of them, but perhaps not - I think Ben was one of the people he mentioned it to, at least.
I was thinking about stiff vs soft boots after watching the video, and how much better everything is when my horses move such that the stiff boots work - but that it’s VERY hard to get them that reactive without inducing tension. I get it more often when they start out electric and I have to get relaxation but don’t have to get them fired up/energetic.
I was riding in my lovely broken in Dehners when I got my first pair of “stiff” boots. I loathed them. I couldn’t figure out how I had been dumb enough to buy them. And then, after complaining that they, indeed, felt like stove pipe, I started riding in them. They truly help your riding, as a dressage rider. Just as your dressage saddle tells you how to hold a better position, so do your boots. You can do dressage in a hunt seat saddle and your soft boots, but…
Bold mine. I totally agree with this, however, if you are not used to letting go with your seat and not gripping with your lower legs, stiffer boots can be awful. I came from H/J land and hated the stiff boots at first, but over time, retraining my body differently, the stiff boots are now my preference.
But for OP - I still stick with my recommendation to show in what you are comfortable in. It is hard to be effective when you are uncomfortable.
I’ll hang onto them as I may want them later as we progress. They’re fine to ride in; just don’t try walking in them!
It was from the Thursday and I think the rider’s name is Camille. She was on a pretty grey mare.
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