Is there a “magical” age for girls to get their first pair of field boots? Do you think it matters more on what division they are competing in or whether it be a A/AA show?
I heard you can get “semi-custom” boots for girls? Anyone have any recommendations?
I think it varies from taste to taste, but I think the appropriate age for wearing tall boots is about 13. Once I graduated from SS to the pony division, I was wearing tall boots and rode a large pony (I was 11, I think). I do see a lot of kids in the pony division still wearing jods. I personally don’t think jods look appealing on tall girls and are more appropriate for smaller/younger riders on small/med ponies (which coincides with the age I mentioned). If the rider is in the junior divisions on a horse, they should be in tall boots.
I wouldn’t spend a whole lot of money on tall boots for the growing kid.
It also depends on the height of the rider and what division they are doing. As a shortie, I could have easily gotten away with jods on a pony until pretty late in my junior career. However even though I was smaller than other girls on ponies, when I moved up to the horses my trainer insisted I get tall boots.
I always thought large ponies was kind of the move up to tall boots place. Unless you have like, an 8yo on a large. So maybe 11, 12 and on a large?
I was told one of two things.
But that was a while ago like in the 80’s. It seems in todays ring that it depends on the pocketbook of the parents.
My daughter is 12, riding smalls and mediums, and she is still in jods. Our trainer has said that when she moves up to larges, she should get tall boots. I have seen some girls on mediums in tall boots, though.
Ha, I didn’t get tall boots until I was in COLLEGE, but I wasn’t showing at the time, so half chaps and paddocks worked just fine.
There are pony kids at my barn who are about 11-12 and they all seem to have field boots.
Generally, 11-12 years old for field boots in almost any division. However, always chose jods in the division smalls. Always chose field boots in the division larges and on a horse.
Like others have said, around 11-13 (middle school age) for most kids. Or when the kid moves up to the large ponies or horses.
As far as your question on semi-custom boots, I’m not sure of brands that really do that anymore. Effingham used to do semi-customs, but they’re extinct now. There are a lot more off the rack options than there used to be. Plus, kids outgrow high boots so check around your barn and local tack stores to see if there might be a used pair that would work for her.
DD moved into tall boots this year, and she just turned 10. Of course, she’s stocky and almost 5’ tall already, so she doesn’t look it! She does ride a horse, though. There is no way she’d look right with her size on a small pony, nor on most mediums.
As Satin Filly said, I think it varies from taste to taste, but I think the appropriate age for wearing tall boots is about 13. I got mine at 13, right after my Bat Mitzvah.
Unless your daughter has extremely small calves she probably doesn’t need to do a semi custom boot. There are so many boot companies that make boots in all sorts of sizes now. Have her try a bunch on. Speaking from experience. They grow really quickly from 11-14 and you will be going through a lot of boots. Buy used if possible. By the time new boots are broken it they are about outgrown:).
I think that it really depends on the girl (or boy). Maximum age is 12 in jods and garter straps. If your kid is a tall and/or stocky then more like 10.
Any good boot company would probably be able to do youth boots, but kids grow out of boots way to quickly. I went through 5 pairs of (paddock and field) boots and 3 pairs of half chaps before I was 14. Best to buy used for now, and save custom boots for a Christmas/birthday present
[QUOTE=bumknees;6249422]
I was told one of two things.
But that was a while ago like in the 80’s. It seems in todays ring that it depends on the pocketbook of the parents.[/QUOTE]
I’ve heard that too! No Boobs, No Boots!
[QUOTE=jetsmom;6251655]
I’ve heard that too! No Boobs, No Boots![/QUOTE]
Then I still wouldn’t be in tall boots, and I’m almost 21 
:lol:
[QUOTE=supershorty628;6251890]
Then I still wouldn’t be in tall boots, and I’m almost 21 :lol:[/QUOTE]
Me too! :lol:
I’ve been in tall boots since I was 10, but only because I was showing a large pony in the jumpers. If I had a small or med. or even a large hunter, I would’ve stayed in paddock boots until I was around 12.
IMO 12 is a good age to move in to tall boots, and 10 (or younger if on a horse) is time to move up to paddock boots with a hair net instead of bows.
I basically want my student in jodphurs until they are out of SS. They can continue in jodphurs, if they wish, if doing ponies. But most kids can’t WAIT for those “tall boots”!
[QUOTE=Rel6;6249198]
It also depends on the height of the rider and what division they are doing. As a shortie, I could have easily gotten away with jods on a pony until pretty late in my junior career. However even though I was smaller than other girls on ponies, when I moved up to the horses my trainer insisted I get tall boots.[/QUOTE]
Agree w/ this. There were a couple of girls (twins)at my barn who were about 5’6 by age 10, even though age-wise they should’ve been wearing jods & paddocks they looked pretty ridiculous; and tiny kids in tall boots on a pony can look just as ridiculous. It used to be when kids graduated from ponies to horses but now I think it best determined by physical stature, by division etc. One thing, no big bows w/ tall boots
my daughter is only 9 and solidly still in the land of jods and braids, but she is dying to wear tall boots (mom is not). trainer has told her, only when she’s 12 (at the earliest) AND on at least a large pony. Smalls and mediums still in jods.
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