So, I have eye surgery and can’t ride for a few weeks so am using this time to read and study the COTH forums! Ha! Anyway, I am a classical dressage rider going over to also riding western dressage on my Friesian cross and am curious about how people who seriously show western dressage approach fashion. I am all for subtle and tasteful, but also enjoy the turnout part of equine sports. Can people post their pictures? My horse is a mahogany buckskin, very dark.
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Not doing Western Dressage but did change this year to Ranch Riding. While most Ranch Riders seem to be turned out in the prosaic boots/jeans/plaid shirt/chinks/ western hat --I spent way too much time dreaming about what to wear --did I mention my ma was a fashion editor?
After much thought, I decided that as an older rider (70+) my dress should not call attention to me, but force the judges’ eyes on Bob, my bay roan. He’s really well built and coming along nicely with is training. Therefore, I decided to “go dark” —I have black boots, black jeans (perfectly pressed center crease), black chinks with extra long fringe --made them myself so did 12" of fringe instead of 8 --may do 18" next time --the movement of the fringe keeps the judges’ eyes on Bob, not me. Black western shirt, although it seems a faded grey now, and a Palm hat --this is different than a straw hat --and I only wear it in the show ring --helmet every place but.
I did add two bright colors : Bob’s saddle blanket (orange, teal, yellow) and my matching Wild Rag.
Does it work? I think so --in photos, the eye goes to Bob –
However, I did chat up a Nationally ranked judge (my trainer’s boss). He told me flat out:" I never look at the rider. My complete focus is on the horse." --ok, but I think it is human to notice “the whole.” There is one rider where I show who rides in bright red chinks --they really stand out. Maybe the judges don’t notice them, but everyone else does.
I like the subtly of our turn out. Thinking of going brown next year . . .
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I always love love LOVE your photos and thoughtful approach to equestrian fashion by discipline. You should offer a service for us less-than-fashion-forward riders to build our outfits!
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I agree. Your turnout is great. Thanks for such generous and thoughtful replies. I am 67 and want to look subtle and nice.
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Ma’s fashion advice was extensive, and I only remember a few basics, but “Accent the Best Feature” is one of hers (and I’m sure many others). In showmanship, we tried to focus the judge on the horse’s best features and the rider’s best features --hence, color choices and patterns of applique to that end (think neon arrows pointing to “Joe’s Diner,”) --our showmanship outfits had applique only on the left sleeve, chest, back that “pointed” visually to the horse and handler’s left hand --so when the handler was standing to the horse’s left the judge’s eye was drawn (we hoped) to that area --no the kiddo’s sifting feet, rolling eyes, and (her greatest fear --a panty line) –
Bob is “my” best feature. I’m not spring chicken and while I ride well enough, as a tall (5’10) woman, I tend (I’m told) to have too much upper body movement, and appear to “dominate” my horse instead of the quiet subtle rider one strives to be in Western --same with foot and leg movement —less is best. So, let’s not give the judge a reason to look there. If you notice the Wild Rag, actually points down (V) to Bob and his matching saddle blanket. One might make a case for a more neutral wild rag --like grey and black tones, but hey, riding is supposed to be fun, and Bob and I are not headed to the Olympics --so a dash of color under my chin --okey dokey.
As I said, I think too much about this stuff!!
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I’ve used my gelding (RIP, Wally) and my mare for both ranch riding classes and western dressage.
I don’t have pics of my gelding in western dressage uploaded, but I rode him in the same outfits I wear showing my mare in ranch and ranch reining. Of course I lose the back cinch and the breast collar and in western dressage I’m riding in a snaffle with split reins.
As you can see, my outfit is custom shotgun chaps over jeans, shaped straw or felt hat, solid western shirt (I’m CR Ranchwear’s best customer) and a coordinating saddle pad. I will say that the majority of the time in western dressage I wear a white CR Ranchwear shirt that has brown accents on the collar and cuffs.
While I think the colored shirts, like my turquoise, are pretty-- and lord knows I can’t resist a coordinating saddle pad-- I do have to careful about looking too “showy.” I spent several years doing the all-around at Paint shows, too, so I consider it a victory that I’m not trying to incorporate crystals on my shirts.
At bigger shows, especially AQHA shows, I wear darker colors like brown, navy and burgundy.
These are photos of me in ranch classes but at least you can see the outfits. And no, I’m not sure why my mare is looking right when she’s on the left lead 
. But I think we were coming across the quarter line for a flying change:
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Wow! Thank you for taking the time to post these. These are great and the combos are really nice. Lovely horse and rider. (I am really partial to horses with minimal chrome, and she is just stunning.) I will have to post a picture of my horse Makoto, a Friesian cross, dark buckskin who is kind of like a mahogany buckskin. As a classical dressage rider, I feel like I am busting out with the idea of a wild rag. I have several silk scarves in the 36* range that are old and lovely.
@Foxglove has a beautiful wild rag and wears it well. I have several wild rags myself and had fun finding some gorgeous ones to coordinate with my shirts. But I’m in Arizona and the majority of my shows are down south in Scottsdale or the Phoenix and Tucson area and it’s just too hot to wear one. So unfortunately mine are just languishing on a shelf. Although there is a December show and I might be able to justify a wild rag at that show.
With your horse’s color you have all sorts of options. It’s definitely a way to express your individuality!
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Your photos bring back great childhood memories for me. Romal reins and chaps with fringe!
I didn’t do ranch riding though. It looks like fun, and you and your horse look great.
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It is kind of funny that I started out as a kid on a little sorrel hony doing western stuff in my fringed chaps and now… after decades of hunters and eq, I’m back wearing fringed chaps. 
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It’s all fun!
I enjoyed riding Western , though I ended up riding Hunter /Jumper horses in the end.
It was really fun to do the versatility classes with Arabians that I did as a kiddo, where you rode the Western Pleasure classes first, with Romal reins, chaps and the big silver Garcia bits.
Then, a complete change of tack and attire to ride a Saddle Seat class on the same horse (changing attire quickly was the most difficult part for me, the tack change was comparatively easy.)
The judging was good, and horses were expected to go differently between Western and English. It wasn’t riding in the same way with different tack. It was a real test of the horse’s training.
I remember so fondly, and with great respect, my mentor in the Arabian world, who gave me a the priceless gift of her instruction and the chance to ride some very lovely horses.
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I get the feeling, as a 67 year old looking back on those showing days from the 1970’s, that our horses were better trained back then. You describe so many of the horses I rode as a kid. I am trying to find my way back to that kind of versatility with a Friesian/QH cross.
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