Western Newbie- I need some advice!

[fourfAlter]

I’ll try and keep this short!

H/J rider for the past 20+ years. Just retired my last jumper to a lovely facility. There is a western trainer/BM on site. As work commitments would keep me from visiting multiple barns a day (it’s tough to just get out to see my guy to graze him before dark!) I’ve started taking some western lessons at this place

I’m actually really enjoying it (I was a tad hesitant at first!) but feel I look a little silly in my tall boots, breeches, polo and helmet!
What are some good brands for jeans/boots/spurs I could invest in? (I won’t be giving up the helmet, so we’re all good there!)

Any tips from people who have ‘crossed over’? My trainer says I’m catching on quite quickly, which is exciting!
He has QH’s, but does Paint shows mostly (is that right? maybe I heard him wrong) and is going to Worlds in June. I realize I won’t be ready by then, but what are some classes a total newbie like me could possibly qualify for next year? For any HJ folks- is there a ‘Rusty Stirrup’ equivalent in Western?

Thanks so much!

[Pocket_Pony]

I don’t know anything about western showing or class divisions or anything like that. I can tell you that I just bought my first pair of Wranglers, though! I got the Q-Baby style and they are comfortable and flattering and they come in different lengths so they’ll look good when you wear your boots.

As for boots, I started a thread about western boots - maybe you could find some info there . . . a few people put down links to their favorites.

I, too, wear my helmet and won’t give that up! I also wear my english chaps, which seem to be called “shotgun” chaps by the western folks. I’d really love some armitas, but fear I’d look like a poser wearing them, so stick with what I’ve got.

I just got my first pair of western spurs. I think they are Weavers and have a bit of tooling on the outside branch. They jingle a bit when I walk in them, but they don’t have jinglebobs.

I’m having a hard time switching to riding in jeans and boots, so I don’t do it very often. Kind of like if you’re not used to riding in breeches and boots (if you ride in full chaps) so try to ride in them the week before a show!

What do you do in your lessons? I haven’t had a western lesson per se - just gone to some clinics here and there.

[Stitch_In_Time]

I’m a hunt seat rider switching to eventing, but I’ve done a little bit of everything from hazing cows for a team roper, to a reining clinic a few months ago.

A bit of advice on western riding boots, make sure the shaft of the boot is tall enough. I know a few people who loved their fatbaby/Q baby boots until they tried to ride in them. The fender tends to get caught and pull the boot off while you’re riding.

As far as classes to show in, look into some open schooling shows in your area. They have classes from walk/jog on up. You can show in whatever you are comfortable in. If you have been riding hunt seat for 20+ years you may be ready for a western show quicker than you think! Good luck, and have fun!

[froglander]

I take dressage lessons in my western saddle, and even between lessons I find it comfier to wear breeches, lol. Jeans get…sweaty (and that is an issue in south Florida!) and nothing I have yet tried will keep the darn pant legs down over my boots, they always ride up

If you do get western boots, I recommend getting some sort of boot socks that come up past the boot.

Unfortunately, my current western boots (some Ariats with roper heel, that boots thread has been an education!), while comfy, the top of the boot rubs my calf when I ride even with tall socks and I have easily annoyed skin so that doesn’t go over well.

[aktill]

Best help I can give on spurs was in the boot thread:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?424800-Spinoff-cowboy-boots-hows-whys-and-whatfors&p=7347397#post7347397

On jeans, make SURE they don’t have a prominent seam on the inside of your thigh…Wranglers are an easy choice. Loose enough to use your leg without tension.

When I “crossed over” I had a set of english riding chaps that fit pretty well, though they didn’t go over western boots at the calf wonderfully. I carried on riding in them for a while, and when the zips wore out I took the chance to add some fringe:
http://www.easphotography.com/Tindur/IMG_1495.PNG
Work just fine, though I can’t zip them down quite all the way.

[Pocket_Pony]

aktill, that gave me a thought…could a leatherworker “convert” english chaps to armitas? I have some english chaps that have fringe on them and I like them, but they are very tight in the calf and I’d never be able to wear them over jeans. Could someone cut / shape the bottoms, put in a new zipper, and ta-da, I’d have some armitas?

[aktill]

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;7464429]
aktill, that gave me a thought…could a leatherworker “convert” english chaps to armitas? I have some english chaps that have fringe on them and I like them, but they are very tight in the calf and I’d never be able to wear them over jeans. Could someone cut / shape the bottoms, put in a new zipper, and ta-da, I’d have some armitas?[/QUOTE]

They could probably convert them to something close to chinks, but they wouldn’t really be armitas. Armitas are generally done with no hardware or sewn pieces, with the fringe cut from the same piece as the body, and out of quite light leather. Adding zippers instead of making them step-ins, using sewn on belts instead of the fringed aprons, and other things of the sort is starting to stretch the term a bit.

The toughest part would be getting fringe around the bottom. Shotguns don’t need this since they go down to the boot, but generally chinks and armitas have fringe along the lower edge.

[fourfAlter]

Thanks everyone!

I do actually have some boots, they’re Old Gringo’s, but those were bought to wear with dresses to tailgates lol… I’m thinking those aren’t riding appropriate?

Pocket Pony- So far we’ve just been working on my position, and ‘getting the feel’ as well as the different queues, nothing too crazy yet!

[RPM]

People I know who do western dressage ride in schooling tights/jods with paddock boots. (They don’t show, though). That is what is most comfortable for me when I ride western, as once used to the way schooling tights move with me I just feel constricted even in stretch jeans.

I do love my Ariat western boots, though! And get compliments on them from non-riding folks who may have “cowgirl” boots for dancing/looking “cool” but MINE are real riding boots!

Once felt very silly wearing my western boots with my schooling tights – until I got on the horse, and then I just felt very comfortable! :yes:

[NoSuchPerson]

Like froglander, I live in the land of hot and humid and jeans during much of the year are just ugghh. Try out a pair of bootcut tights, like these:

http://www.tackroominc.com/irideon-issential-riding-tights-boot-cut-p-17503.html?gclid=CKOtsM3U_rwCFUpk7Aod7HUA-w

with your paddock or cowboy boots.

[Aces_N_Eights]

There have been some good suggestions

Like Pocket Pony I wear the Q-Baby jeans for riding. They have an elastic waist so no gaping and your shirt stays tucked in. They have a little stretch to them too which is handy. Aktill had mentioned the seam that runs down the inside of the leg, very true, something to think about when buying a different brand.

Boots are going to be a little of personal preference. For me, I like my tall boots they hit just below the knee but would fit much looser than what your English tall boots would. I wear them with a tall boot sock and I have no issues with rubbing. However they can be hot and sweaty in the summer. I do have some boots that hit mid-lower leg, again tall boot socks so they aren’t rubbing on your skin.
I like leather soles with single welt stitching. I suggest them for ease of getting your foot in and out of a stirrup. They can be slick to walk in and not meant for long periods of standing but I am scared of getting hung in a stirrup.
Heels are going to be a preference. I have heels ranging from short roper style to big 2.5" underslungs. Your stirrups maybe a determining factor. A spur counter on the heel is also handy for holding your spurs. Western riders where their spurs lower on the boot than English from what I have noticed. What is your price range?

Spurs, in short, your spur style will have to do with the length of your leg compared to your horse. There are other factors but that is a good place to start.
Quick example, if you are a long legged rider on a shallow girthed horse, a gooseneck may be appropriate. If you are short legged rider on a big barreled horse a drop shank, or a very short shanked spur maybe the best solution.

Been a couple of years since attending breed shows, but you may be eligible for AQHA amateur classes. I am confused by the “leveling” I have to read up on that still.
APHA has amateur and novice/amateur classes also broken down into age groups…I think.
Basically if you haven’t been paid to train, show, give lessons in the last 5 years you can eligible for those divisions. Your trainer would be able to give you a better answer than I can.
I agree that trying some schooling and open shows is a good way to start before dumping money into the breed shows.

By the way, welcome to the dark side

[imaginique]

I like Wrangler Aura jeans, Ariat boots, and I don’t wear spurs.

[Fillabeana]

I look a bit different in my breeches, tall boots and chinks.

The ‘blue jeans breeches’ and chinks sort of hide the whole breeches thing, but unless I’m only horseback for an hour or so, I’m not wearing jeans with a seam under my leg. I prefer the old-school, high-waist wranglers if I have to wear jeans, they are most comfortable if I’m going to a branding or somewhere that someone might care what I’m wearing.

I don’t give a rat’s farty behind what people think about my breeches and cowboy boots, and I’m not planning on going to a show anytime soon. I pretty much ride on a ranch, maybe once or twice a year in an arena:
http://s262.photobucket.com/user/Buxombeefcowdairy/media/Buck%20clinic/tedsaddled.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5

I’m quite comfortable…but I can imagine someone with a show barn might have other ideas about what I ought to wear.

[UrbanHennery]

I wear Wranglers or the new Ariat real riding jeans for schooling rides and lessons. Get yourself a pair of leather soled boors with an 11-13" shaft. Sure you can ride in tights and half chaps, but when in Rome… I think not wearing tights and half chaps to ride western is a bit like if I showed up for a hunter lesson in my jeans and Boulets…

[workin_onit]

Kerrits boot cut jods are really comfortable.

[La_Gringa]

I have fat baby boots but I wear the jean over the shaft so it doesn’t get caught. They are very comfortable.

[Anlashok8]

I bought a pair of Stickyseat bootcut riding pants and LOVE them. I’m going to some schooling shows this summer that have both western and traditional dressage classes, and these pants are able to do double-duty by looking like nice bootcut riding pants in the western classes, and english breeches when some half-chaps are slapped over them. Super comfy no matter which way they are worn

[TheMountainsAreCalling]

If you have problems with your jeans riding up out of your boots as you ride, get taller boots and tuck your jeans in. A lot of people seem to be resistant to tucking your jeans in, but it will solve the problem. It’s the only way I ride because I can’t stand that feeling of your jeans creeping up on you…

If you’re wearing English chaps, you could also get some western-style packers or lacers instead of traditional paddock boots. I have worn Double H brand Opankas, and they lace up higher than your traditional English paddock boot, but look great with full length chaps without having a huge struggle trying to zip them down over your ankles. I have also worn Justin pack boots, which are the same, but made of much tougher leather than the Double H so some people might not find them as comfortable.

[goldponies]

I ride both and use ropers by ariot, and ride in Lucky jeans. I do ride with spurs and your trainer will most likely have you get some especially if your riding reining horses or western pleasure trained horses with spur stops. I love riding WP and Love my Reiner, enjoy it’s so fun and really a mental break from my hunters.

[CowgirlDressage]

Wrangler Q-Baby are a bit more comfy than the Aura, and I’ve ridden in western jeans for over 30 years. The Q-Baby are by far my very favorites! I also do ride in & love my Ariat ProBaby, I never, ever, ever ride in FatBaby boots! They are wider, and not all together the safest in stirrups, more for walking, etc. ProBaby & RodeoBaby are great for riding, super comfy, and jeans should be over the boots, stacking a bit at the foot & ankle, so the saddle fender would not be able to pull a boot off.

Spurs are a huge matter of what type you need, what is comfortable for you, what look you like, etc. and so on. Same for spur straps. I have several pairs depending on what I’m doing; pleasure, ranch pleasure, reining, and so forth. I love wider straps, a bit of tooling but not a ton, and short shanked spurs with clover points, or other similar rowels.

Try some stuff on if you can, boots, jeans, spurs, etc., and see which suit you best as you can before purchasing! Have fun!