Things you learn from a TD--half chaps, jodphur boots, paddock boots and other cool things

[GramV]

So, in between classes I had some nice conversations with the TD. A friend brought up the question about wearing short boots. The TD’s have always told us that you can wear them with half chaps up to first level. Well, friend found rule where it says you can wear jodphur boots at any level/

Well, I was saying no and so was the TD. She showed us the rule. The we looked up what a jodphur boot is, and some had pictures of tall boots! Then we found a rule that says jodphur or paddock boots (assuming they are the same thing) and you are allowed to wear paddock boots at any level! Just no half chaps!

Our discussion went on to wonder about this. No one who rides without a calf cover usually does it twice, because you’re so raw that you can’t put your leg on a horse for a few weeks. Isn’t that interesting, though?

And the TB brought up another rule. We all know as a test reader you can only read a movement once, right? Wrong. If the reader believes the rider did not hear the reader, they are allowed to repeat. So, if anyone challenges you on this, just say as a reader, you believed the rider did not hear you the first time.
DR122 Execution and Judging of Tests 1. Calling Tests. All Federation Tests may be called during the competition except, under penalty of elimination, at any Final or Championship Event at which time all tests must be ridden from memory. If test is announced, it is the responsibility of the competitor to arrange for a person to announce the test. Unless an exception is made by the judge, the announcing of the test must start with the first movement. Lateness and errors in announcing the ride will not relieve the rider from “error penalties”. Announcing the tests is limited to reading the movement as it is written once only. However, the repetition of reading of a movement is acceptable if there is reason to doubt that the rider heard the original call."

Cool beans.

[poltroon]

Yes, the rule is you can ride in paddock boots at any level, but half chaps only to first. Children traditionally grow up riding in paddock boots and in Ye Olden Days would expect to get tall boots at around age 13 or when they moved up from a pony. It’s not at all impossible or implausible to ride without half chaps - with the appropriate pants you won’t be chafed, and especially not in dressage where there’s so much less tension and movement in the stirrup leathers compared to jumping.

[dotneko]

I have had older adults ride in jod boots too.

[hoopoe]

I had a barn mate show in jods and jod boots. As an adult perfectly legal. Jod boots are usually unlaced compared to paddock which lace up

[CHT]

I just want to clarify that the OP’s observations apply to the US only. Neither of the above are true in Canada.

-In Canada you can read a movement up to two times.
-Only juniors can wear jodhpur boots

• Paddock boots with half chaps/half boots can only be worn together, and only at bronze shows.

[GramV]

In 35 years of riding dressage, and the TD’s 30 something years as a TD, we have never once seen anyone show in jodphur boots. And we had to look up the definition, as the TD wasn’t really aware of the name jodphur, but paddock boots.

I don’t get the comment that there is less tension in dressage than jumping. The difference is the leathers in an English saddle are against the calf, so they tend to pinch and rub, no matter what you are doing. Since they’re shorter in jumping, they would be less likely to do that. It’s not an issue in western because the leathers don’t hit the leg.

And, yes, I was referring to USDF/USEF rules.

[hank]

I took a lesson yesterday on an unfamiliar horse, who was much less forward and sensitive than mine, while wearing bootcut Kerrits and Ariat terrain boots… I don’t have any rubs. Just sayn’. And if that is indeed show legal attire, I may be persuaded to show!
ETA…not saying the Terrain boots are legal, just short boots

[GramV]

@hank

I took a lesson yesterday on an unfamiliar horse, who was much less forward and sensitive than mine, while wearing bootcut Kerrits and Ariat terrain boots… I don’t have any rubs. Just sayn’. And if that is indeed show legal attire, I may be persuaded to show!
ETA…not saying the Terrain boots are legal, just short boots

Well, there ya go! Now you know you can show in them! I don’t know what terrain boots are, but if they look like paddoc boots, you’re good.

[Janet]

Except for shows and lessons, I ALWAYS ride in short boots WITHOUT “half chaps”. Sometimes with quite thin britches.

The only time I get chafed. or pinched or rubbed, is when I let my legs move around.

[hoopoe]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodhpur_boot

these are traditional Jod boots. The elastic sides were more typical of Kentucky (saddle seat) jod and the strapped ones for hunter style.

I guess I got my foundation education from Mrs Self and Mrs Dillons books. I thought every knew the difference between the types.

The dress rules in dressage do not designate age or sex restrictions. So it is perfectly legal for a woman to wear a conventional necktie rather than a stock tie or choker, using a dress shirt. My barn-mate choose jods for her first season showing as she was going thru a wonderful transformation and didnt want to invest in tall boots which would be soon too big. She wore a dress shirt and necktie which is entirely appropriate with this turn out

I will say she is the only adult I ever saw show in jods.

I never encountered any issue with rubbing when riding without tall boots, so I guess your mileage may vary with the tack and your particular seat.

[hank]

I have always DESPISED tall boots. Now that I’m older and have little flexibility left in my ankles, They are pretty much out of the question. Even with zippers, the rubs from the boots would draw blood. I sold my Konigs, rather than have them collect dust in the closet. I find this some pretty darn good news.

[outerbanks77]

@GramV

I don’t get the comment that there is less tension in dressage than jumping. The difference is the leathers in an English saddle are against the calf, so they tend to pinch and rub, no matter what you are doing.

I imagine Anja Beran would disagree.

[oldernewbie]

@GramV

In 35 years of riding dressage, and the TD’s 30 something years as a TD, we have never once seen anyone show in jodphur boots. And we had to look up the definition, as the TD wasn’t really aware of the name jodphur, but paddock boots.

I don’t get the comment that there is less tension in dressage than jumping. The difference is the leathers in an English saddle are against the calf, so they tend to pinch and rub, no matter what you are doing. Since they’re shorter in jumping, they would be less likely to do that. It’s not an issue in western because the leathers don’t hit the leg.

And, yes, I was referring to USDF/USEF rules.

Well, saddle seat riders use jod boots too and rarely have problems with pinching/rubbing. Don’t understand what you mean about western as the leathers certainly do hit your leg from top to bottom. And you can get some nasty pinches from the joint between the fender and leather.

Of of course if you ride in shorts and boots like I did as a kid you learn to keep your legs quiet!

[Scribbler]

In the winter I tend to ride in Kerrits fleece full seats, insulated paddock boots, and long underwear and ski socks, over which no tall boots or half chaps would fit. In the summer if it’s scorching hot I may ride in paddock boots. I’ve never been rubbed, though in general I prefer having calf protection.

[CanteringCarrot]

I prefer the look of tall boots. There are a few adult riders that ride in paddock boots here. No one seems to be bothered by their stirrup leathers.

I’m still on the fence re how I feel about test readers.

[GramV]

Interesting ideas of why you can’t always wear tall boots I never thought of.

So, moving on, other rules and such that might enlighten anyone? I never knew that test reading exception, which I think is really good to know, as I’ve had a few times where I couldn’t hear a reader.

[Nous]

British Dressage rules are fairly straight forward: “Long riding boots designed for riding are to be worn. Short riding boots with non-fringed gaiters or half chaps of the same leather and colour as the boots may be worn”, and that’s at all levels.

With decent short boot/gaiter combinations it cn be difficult to tell if they’re long or short, I used to wear tred step paddock boots and gaiters in summer and long boots in winter.

[MuskokaLakesConnemaras]

I’ve worn half chaps and paddock boots at Gold level in Canada. No issues…

[2DogsFarm]

@Janet

Except for shows and lessons, I ALWAYS ride in short boots WITHOUT “half chaps”. Sometimes with quite thin britches.

The only time I get chafed. or pinched or rubbed, is when I let my legs move around.

^
THIS!

I lesson & ride casually in paddock boots 100% of the time.
Never tried half-chaps.
Did it on my very-big-moving WB & now on my also-lots-of-suspension TWH.
Never get a rub from the leathers on my semi-custom Stubben Maestoso.

If I plan showing I will do a ride or two beforehand in my tall (custom) boots just to get the feel.

Test readers distract me.
Since I am doing low-level stuff in lessons & showing Intro it is easy enough to memorize a test.

[pluvinel]

So where to I find the jodhpurs to wear these boots with? I admit to preferring to ride in paddock/jodhpur/short boots.

I don’t need formal jods … and used to happily ride in the “On Course-Cotton Naturals” which were discontinued at some time. Those pants were made of a heavy cotton material that went down all the way to the bottom ankle closure and which could go over the boot for a nice long leg look.

Now it seems all the britches have some lighter weight material from about mid-calf to ankle.

Any recommendations of a nice heavy fabric breech that goes all the way down to the ankle and the could go over the short boot are appreciated…oh, and they have to be knee-patch…no full-seats.