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

[Mango20]

I ride in jodhpur boots most of the time, only putting on tall boots for shows or lessons, and half chaps occasionally for a trail ride (but not always). No problems with rubbing.

I still have a few pairs of functional “On Course Cotton Naturals” but some other new types have elastic at the ankle and fabric all the way down. I have a nice pair from Irideon with ribbed fabric and pockets which are my go-to for trail rides and carrying my phone. Some other cheap pull-ons (Devonaire?) also have the same fabric all the way down. You could also wear socks on the outside of your pants when you have the thinner fabric.

[Jarpur]

I have these in the full-seat, but they also come in knee-patch: https://www.toklat.com/Products/BP/30-3134

Very comfortable, have worn well (although I have several pairs of various breeches which I rotate, so no one pair is heavily used), and available from multiple sources.

Also, my husband loves the way they fit me, and always notices when I wear them:winkgrin:.

[oldernewbie]

Google Kentucky jodhpurs and you will get boot cut and true KY jods. Both styles appear to have knee patches and would fit over jod boots. I know KY jods have elastic straps that go under the boot to keep jods from riding up. Not sure about boot cut breeches - have never taken a look at them.

[JustTheTicket]

@oldernewbie

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!

Saddle seat riders also grip with their knees and keep their lower leg off the horse. Different riding styles.

[MysticOakRanch]

@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.

Look at some of the endurance catalogs - they have tons of jodhpurs - made to use with jod boots. Kind of boot cut style?

[atr]

Yes, Pluvinel, those were really nice Jods, i rode in them in the summer with paddock boots for several years, and was sad when they disappeared. They had a nice little cuff and elastic under the foot. Sonnenreiter had some a while ago, but I haven’t looked recently.

[pluvinel]

@atr

Yes, Pluvinel, those were really nice Jods, i rode in them in the summer with paddock boots for several years, and was sad when they disappeared. They had a nice little cuff and elastic under the foot. Sonnenreiter had some a while ago, but I haven’t looked recently.

Agreed…someone started a thread about the demise of some old brands and I did not realize that On-Course was part of Millers. I guess when Millers went under was about the time that On-Course disappeared.

I wish I had figured out they were going out of business…it was getting harder and harder to find the Cotton Naturals…and I would have bought up a few gross because of the nice heavy material and bottom cuff that could be pulled over the paddock boot.

I have started to look at the endurance catalogs for jods. I am not a big fan of “flare leg” or boot cut. I just want a heavy fabric that wears well and tapers all the way down the leg so it fits over the short boot. I will look for Sonnenreiter…never heard of them.

I will post if I find something.

[demidq]

I think you can find jodhpurs in UK shops- they are still worn by adults there. Look for jodhpurs, not breeches

[Graymaresrule]

It’s really good to know that I am not the only one who rides in paddocks and no half chaps. FWIW I just buy long breeches…works because I’m 5’3"

[CHT]

@MuskokaLakesConnemaras

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

How long ago? This rule was changed in the last few years.

[MuskokaLakesConnemaras]

4 weeks ago

[SillyHorse]

@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.

Most people don’t know that you don’t have to braid, or that you don’t have to wear white pants, be they breeches or jods.

[GramV]

@SillyHorse

Most people don’t know that you don’t have to braid, or that you don’t have to wear white pants, be they breeches or jods.

True. It would just seem such a faux pas not to braid! I have done it once at a rated show because I was late because the horses took off in the pasture. I apologized to the judge. She did not care at all.

True breeches don’t need to be white. Tan, canary, and light grey are all acceptable. I sure wish they would change that, though. The color doesn’t really matter, but if you’re going to have one, black would sure be nice–it hides the dirt so you don’t have to bleach them every single time, and slimming!

[Graymaresrule]

@GramV

True. It would just seem such a faux pas not to braid! I have done it once at a rated show because I was late because the horses took off in the pasture. I apologized to the judge. She did not care at all.

True breeches don’t need to be white. Tan, canary, and light grey are all acceptable. I sure wish they would change that, though. The color doesn’t really matter, but if you’re going to have one, black would sure be nice–it hides the dirt so you don’t have to bleach them every single time, and slimming!

Most clinicians specify light breeches because it is easier to see what the rider is doing. I suspect the same holds true for judging.

[Willesdon]

Well, if one goes back a generation or so, only men were supposed to wear white breeches - but only with top boots. It is interesting how fashion changes even as the conservative horse world claims to stand still.

In the UK even small children now do dressage in white breeches and long boots. By contrast, in the show ring even adults wear (yellow) jodphurs and short boots to show ponies.

Thus it is easy to find full-length jods with cuffs at the ankles in adult sizes in the UK.

[SillyHorse]

@Graymaresrule

Most clinicians specify light breeches because it is easier to see what the rider is doing. I suspect the same holds true for judging.

I think that’s a myth. My trainer doesn’t have a problem with people wearing black or dark breeches, and no one is more interested in what I’m doing, lol. I’ve seen people ride with CdK and Jan Ebeling in black or dark breeches, and neither has ever said a word about it.

I’m not sure what a judge is going to see in the 8 or 10 inches between the dark coat and the black boots.

[TWH_Girl]

Try the Piper bootcut breaches for anyone looking for a jodhpur style riding pant. They are knit, super comfortable and stretchy, and give your leg a nice, long look. I don’t ride dressage per se, but my riding is dressage based, on a TWH, in a dressage saddle, with jod pants and short boots lol. It’s called crossover riding

[GramV]

I agree I don’t see how white breeches make it easier to see a rider, and I doubt judges care one whit. I don’t, and I know of none that do.

I think it’s a weird tradition. I like some of them. I miss the top hat, and I love the tails, but it is ridiculous. We really need to go for more athletic outfits. I’d love dark colored breeches, and just a vest if you want to go fancy, or a polo shirt. The rest really makes no sense.

[2tempe]

I would love not to braid, but am “blessed” with a THICK pony type mane that sort of parts down the middle and nothing is going to make it look tidy loose.

[drafting_dots]

@2DogsFarm

^
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.

Same. Although I used to have half chaps but am basically just too lazy to put them on since they don’t really add much. No use getting a new pair because if I’m going to be seen in public, I’d much rather wear tall boots anyway! It’s also kind of cool to be able to really feel your horse & where your leg is.