Hi there,
I am an eventer but I want to go to a hunter schooling show this weekend. What can I get away with wearing? I think it is a pretty low key show. Can I wear a turtleneck and nice conservative sweater? Can I wear tan full seat breeches? I will call the barn tomorrow but I am just curious.
Thanks!
I think the attire you mention is perfectly acceptable! Make sure your horse is spotless as well. Not clipped or a trace clipped is fine as long as he/she is clean, mane pulled, tail brushed out, and tack clean. My only tip would be to go with solid colors for your turtle neck and sweater. Will just look more conservative and neat.
I second woodhillsmanhattan. Sometimes if it is really cold I add a vest over my sweater.
Call ahead to ask for the dress code. Most schooling shows around here require traditional attire. That said, there are ways to warm this up: UnderArmour under your hunt coat, or replace your ratcatcher with a turtleneck.
I would suggest wearing normal show clothes- tan breeches, show shirt and coat. Full seat breeches are fine, but putting on a coat shows the judge that you are serious and respectful. We had a schooling show a few weeks ago, and most people wore a jacket over there coat and took it off right before they went in the ring.
I would go ahead and ask the show or try to find pictures from shows they have hosted previously. We are hosting a schooling show next weekend and specifically said that show clothes are not required. It is a balmy -3 degrees up here right now and wanted everyone to just try to stay warm!
An electric blanket is probably what I would wear.
Barring that, I’d call and ask. We usually just wear our giant coats and layers and layers until they call us in, then drop down to our show clothes (with layers and layers under them) to show. But it’s not particularly casual around here at the schooling shows. Heat packets for in your boots and possibly gloves. Definitely under armour.
I think any combination of shirt/sweater/vest is fine as long as it has a collar and in conservative colors. Tan or beige full seat breeches are fine, for the most part no one will notice.
The schooling shows around where I am generally require traditional attire, regardless of the weather. Like others have said, we wear as much under our show clothes as possible to stay warm, then put warm coats on on top of show coats. I always make sure my number is on and I’m ready to strip off my top layer right before I go in the ring. Pretty much my parka and my horse’s cooler come off at the same time and then go right back on both of us once we’re done.
I’m no stranger to frigid winter shows! If you do have to wear typical attire I find these type wool sweaters http://www.woolovers.com/cashmere-merino/womens-mens/v-neck-jumper.aspx work super well under a show coat and blend in well as long as the v-neck matches the jacket v. Provides an extra layer without making you look too bulky or non-traditional. Also, be all about the long underwear warm base layers. Yes, it is totally worth looking like you have sausage legs because you have a pair under your breeches.
Hope you have fun and don’t lose any toes!
My feeling is- always wear a show coat 1) because it shows respect for the judge and 2) they’re usually one of (if not the most) expensive show clothing items- I want to use it!! 
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