Hi there!
Looking to get some information about what is in style with regards to show outfits for a lady rider and what sorts of silver trim are seen as being in style?
I would like to start showing in Western events this year (reining, horsemanship and western dressage) but have NO CLUE what is fashionable atm and come from an English dressage background
Thanks for all your help!
PS If it matters, my mare is grey.
PPS What is mane protocol?
Western Pleasure riders bling out, but Western Dressage riders do not. You say pleasure in your subject, but dressage in the body. Which are you pursuing?
Paula
Apologies: Dressage
Western Dressage dress is a bit more somber. The rules actually remind us that bling doesn’t bring points. Here’s from the USEF Rule book,
"WD122 Attire
https://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2015/30-WD.pdf
I rode one test this season and I wore a white shirt tucked into my boot cut blue jeans. So I’d say don’t fuss too much when it comes to WD and Reining.
This isn’t me, but it’s a ride I like to study. She shares my aesthetic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe4-LlKHN2w
Paula
Now is there anything in Western Attire that would be considered a “faux pas” ? I hear something about yellow shirts?
Also, what is fashionable in terms of trim, colours, hats?
[QUOTE=couper;8407354]
Now is there anything in Western Attire that would be considered a “faux pas” ? I hear something about yellow shirts?[/QUOTE]
Jamie Dowdy and Its A Southern Thing were just 3rd at the AQHA World Show in the Junior Western Pleasure Level 2 wearing a yellow shirt and vest.
[QUOTE=couper;8407312]
I would like to start showing in Western events this year (reining, horsemanship and western dressage) but have NO CLUE what is fashionable
What is mane protocol? [/QUOTE]
Reining --> Tend to be more neutral colors for clothing (browns, blacks, greys) and not super bright colors. You can have bling on your saddle but the shirts certainly are not blinged out. Hair in a pony tail. CLEAN white sport boots (or polo wraps) for the horse if they are a good mover; black if they have some flaws. No breastcollar. Horse’s hair is long and flowing. Headstall is usually single or double ear (no throatlatch).
http://www.bridleandbit.com/artman/uploads/europe_reining.jpg
http://reiner.nrha.com/wp-content/uploads/rieky-young-sm.jpg
http://eliteequestrian.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/0930-123-14SAweb.jpg
Horsemanship: The outfits can be more blingy and colorful here. Typically, COLORED chaps are reserved for youth riders, but there’s a few “out-going” riders who will do color. You want an outfit color that is going to compliment you and your horse. Hair should be neat in a bun. Horse needs to groomed to a tee, and typically the mane is banded and short (like it western pleasure or showmanship). No breastcollar. Headstall is usually single or double ear (no throatlatch).
http://image.cdnllnwnl.xosnetwork.com/pics33/640/UM/UMAAEEXQMAOOUKL.20140725205909.jpg
http://americashorsedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/funtional-rider-pt-2-journal-photo.jpg
http://cms.aqha.com/Showing/Select-World/2011-Classes/~/media/Images/Showing/Events/Select%20World%202011/asw11_horsemanship-champion.ashx?w=350
Western Dressage - You’ll have to have someone else answer that. I don’t know too much about that one.
Breastcollars are most certainly acceptable in reining.
http://ads.apha.com/sitefinity_website_images/pressroom/aphaphotos/11_NRHA_GunnerBoy.jpg
http://www.selectbreeders.com/system/exhibits/376/main/LegendRollback.jpg?1305865943
http://www.hilldalefarm.com/images/horses/large/1137460198.jpg
As far as colors in reining - where what you want. You want a bright shirt with bling? Go for it.
http://www.elitehorsejournal.com/images/reining/_DSC8351-1.jpg
http://www.equinechronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Footwork-Revolution.jpeg_feature.jpg
With the influx of many western pleasure riders into reining, you definitely see a lot more of the colors and bling.
Western dressage – You can bling up or down as much as you like. Avoid asymmetrical patterns. Avoid things that jiggle, wave, or move a lot. Make sure hair is neat and up (tired judging a competitor at the World show with a long pony tail hanging down her back obscuring her number). You want the focus to be on the proper performance of required movements, and not distracted by the attire . If you use a fake tail, make sure it isn’t so long or so heavy that it doesn’t “swing” ( a horse who’s tail makes a lovely s curved is usually working nice and loosely through its back and topline).
Question about throatlatches - Are they not recommended, not tolerated, or just not in fashion?
I would think in reining you would want one in case you have a spinner who can spin it off their face. Am I just being silly here?
[QUOTE=TheHorseMutterer;8408363]
Question about throatlatches - Are they not recommended, not tolerated, or just not in fashion?
I would think in reining you would want one in case you have a spinner who can spin it off their face. Am I just being silly here?[/QUOTE]
Just not in fashion. If you want to have one on your bridle, there is no rule against it. I have seen some AMAZING spins and don’t think I have seen a horse spin a bridle off. I have seen a few people who use a piece of brown shoelace for a throatlatch since it doesn’t distract from the overall appearance with a double or single ear headstall. Look closely in this picture:
[QUOTE=bugsynskeeter;8408388]
Just not in fashion. If you want to have one on your bridle, there is no rule against it. I have seen some AMAZING spins and don’t think I have seen a horse spin a bridle off. I have seen a few people who use a piece of brown shoelace for a throatlatch since it doesn’t distract from the overall appearance with a double or single ear headstall. Look closely in this picture:
https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/17598509_640.jpg[/QUOTE]
Fascinating. I prefer having one in case some aggressive leg itching starts to pull it off over the ears or something similiar. I figure they would have to spin awfully hard and have their ears pretty forward for it to dislodge.
Good to know. Thanks!
Just saying that the general trend for reining is no breastcollar. No, it’s not an illegal piece of equipment, but you don’t see that many people using them in reining. Same on the back cinch. You just don’t see many, even though it’s not illegal.
The OP was asking about TRENDS. So there’s your trend.
[QUOTE=TheHorseMutterer;8408363]Question about throatlatches - Are they not recommended, not tolerated, or just not in fashion?
[/QUOTE]
Agreed. Nothing illegal about it; just not in fashion at the higher levels.
Just like breastcollars…
I’m going to just have to agree to disagree there…as those pictures I showcased are of some of the top riders in the industry. Shawn uses a breastcollar regularly.
I strongly beg to differ on the breast collars in reining. They are quite popular and you will see many riders using them. It’s all personal preference. I use one if I have a particularly chubby horse or one without good withers because I think it helps keep the saddle balanced.
As far as a throat latch on a bridle, the rule of thumb is if you are showing a snaffle bit horse, use a headstall with a brow band and a throat latch. Shanked bits get a one or two eared headstall with no throat latch.
With dress, it’s again, personal preference. You probably won’t see any colored chaps outside of black, tan, brown or a buckskin color but people
Definitely get jazzy with their pads and shirts. Most commonly you will see solid colored button up shirts on open riders. The non pros tend to get a little more blingy with their shirt choices. As far as hats, Black and Tan are good all year. Straw from May to September. Grey is also an increasingly popular choice and I kind of like it.
Here’s some pics for fashion reference of a few of my horses.
More of a plain look: I love her in burgundy too.
Changed it up with a burgundy tan and black sun dance pad:
Went with teal and black here:
This is a terrible quality still shot but, tan and blue:
Teal and tan:
Or really loud: tan and pink haha
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