OK so I found a cart I am SLOBBERING over, if I can wrangle up the money to purchase it for my stallion! If I do I will just be showing in “pleasure” driving at a local show circuit and possible in breed shows later on. THis cart is a “Houghton Jogger”, two wheeled with wooden wheels (also comes with spoke wheels but I love the look of the wooden ones), a black basket, natural wood finish with black and red accents. What in the WORLD do I wear?? I mean I see people showing with some sort of skirts I guess? DO I have to wear a skirt, where do I find the kind of clothes I would need (that AREN’T too expensive, if I can swing the cart that will set me back a bundle!!)?
Just FYI you shouldn’t bee needing to spend to terribly much for a used Houghton Pleasure Cart. The Houghton company is out of business but you can get a new Jerald cart that is almost just the same for $3100 with wooden wheels and a natural finish or $1995 with just wire spoked wheels and a painted finish.
What exactly you would wear will depend on what breed your horse is. Also what rules your local show circuit follows (most tend to follow AQHA rules).
To add:
Looked at your website and saw your horse is an Appaloosa. The Appaloosa rulebook has this to say about driving attire:
C. Exhibitors to dress conservatively and neatly. Dress should conform to the type of vehicle, i.e., casual or sporty attire for a sport or natural finish vehicle, formal attire for a more formal vehicle.
- Gentlemen must wear a coat, hat and tie.
- Ladies must wear a conservative dress, tailored suit or slacks and a hat. Floppy brimmed hats are not permitted or acceptable. If a short dress or suit is worn, a lap robe is required.
- Exhibitors may wear rainwear or inclement weather apparel when showing outside if weather conditions require.
So in other words you do not need a hat (if you are a lady), apron or gloves as you would at a carraige pleasure driving show. Personally I would wear gloves anyways, as you may and it makes for better rein handling. As fas as clothes if you have slack and a blouse, with a blazer if you like, from your work wardrobe that should be fine. If you have clothes that you show halter or showmanship in those would be dandy too. Your hunt jacket with a different blouse and slacks works. Putting suitable clothes on for driving at a show doesn’t have to be a big deal, make sure your clothes are clean and fit you well 
[QUOTE=Renae;3950237]
Just FYI you shouldn’t bee needing to spend to terribly much for a used Houghton Pleasure Cart. The Houghton company is out of business but you can get a new Jerald cart that is almost just the same for $3100 with wooden wheels and a natural finish or $1995 with just wire spoked wheels and a painted finish.
What exactly you would wear will depend on what breed your horse is. Also what rules your local show circuit follows (most tend to follow AQHA rules).
To add:
Looked at your website and saw your horse is an Appaloosa. The Appaloosa rulebook has this to say about driving attire:
C. Exhibitors to dress conservatively and neatly. Dress should conform to the type of vehicle, i.e., casual or sporty attire for a sport or natural finish vehicle, formal attire for a more formal vehicle.
- Gentlemen must wear a coat, hat and tie.
- Ladies must wear a conservative dress, tailored suit or slacks and a hat. Floppy brimmed hats are not permitted or acceptable. If a short dress or suit is worn, a lap robe is required.
- Exhibitors may wear rainwear or inclement weather apparel when showing outside if weather conditions require.
So in other words you do not need a hat (if you are a lady), apron or gloves as you would at a carraige pleasure driving show. Personally I would wear gloves anyways, as you may and it makes for better rein handling. As fas as clothes if you have slack and a blouse, with a blazer if you like, from your work wardrobe that should be fine. If you have clothes that you show halter or showmanship in those would be dandy too. Your hunt jacket with a different blouse and slacks works. Putting suitable clothes on for driving at a show doesn’t have to be a big deal, make sure your clothes are clean and fit you well :)[/QUOTE]
Thanks, the local show circuit follows USEF pleasure driving rules, the Houghton I am looking at is $1800 (a big enough chunk of change for me!) I ALWAYS wear gloves to ride or drive so not an issue there. Want to look very nice, but don’t want to go overboard! I will be doing app shows MAYBE at some point. Should I “color” coordinate with the black/red/natural of the cart???
I’m not an expert by any means, but if the local shows are following USEF pleasure driving rules, I don’t think a Jerald-type show cart (I’m thinking of what you see in the AQHA divisions) would be an appropriate vehicle (same for any show that follows ADS rules). You really only see these at breed shows; I’ve never seen one at a pleasure driving show. In fact I don’t think anything with spoked wheels is allowed in USEF or ADS driving shows except perhaps in the novice divisions (at shows discretion). But others on the board can correct me if I am wrong.
For pleasure driving shows, a road cart (my preference) or meadowbrook is a good vehicle, especially to start with. I think you could find one of these for the same price.
As to what to wear: Hat, gloves, apron, suit jacket & blouse (a scarf looks quite nice), slacks or skirt, and flats.
Per ADS rules, gloves, apron, and whip are required. This is my on real big peeve with breed shows, they often don’t carry whips (at least what I’ve seen on the AQHA circuit).
There have been some good threads recently on what to wear; those should be helpful too.
Well, first I’d say - have you ever gone to your local show to see what other turnouts are showing there. Local shows can encompass a very wide range of breed show and open show turnouts or they can have a definite leaning toward one direction or another.
Many years ago when we first were showing, a lot of the local shows were just offshoots of Morgan shows and frequenly had Morgan judges - so anything else was just an afterthought. But local shows in our area now are very “carriage” oriented and its rare for anyone to showup turned out for a breed show.
If you’ve seen the shows and the cart you like will still be appropriate - then great job finding a nice cart and a good price - congrats
Looking at pix of your stallion (it is the very white app -right?)
I usually say to not go the easy route by dressing in black to match the cart - but in this case I think it could look good -pickingout the colors of the cart will set off the horse. He’s flashy enough that you dont want to compete and draw the eye away from the horse. A dark jacket, dark apron and dark hat with a red scarf and red hatband would look good.
As has been said in several threads - hats should be available now lots of places like Target or Walmart and you can dress them up with ribbon or a headband for a new bad. You can get a basic long rectangle scarf and find lots of ways to tie it for an accent to the neck.
A workmate recently showed me a very simple way to tie a square scarf that makes like a flower bow for the front of the collar and the rest tied at teh back of the neck out of the way. I’ll have to see if I can find directions on the net to describe it.
Best of luck and I hope the cart purchase works out for you
[QUOTE=KellyS;3950634]
I’m not an expert by any means, but if the local shows are following USEF pleasure driving rules, I don’t think a Jerald-type show cart (I’m thinking of what you see in the AQHA divisions) would be an appropriate vehicle (same for any show that follows ADS rules). You really only see these at breed shows; I’ve never seen one at a pleasure driving show. In fact I don’t think anything with spoked wheels is allowed in USEF or ADS driving shows except perhaps in the novice divisions (at shows discretion). But others on the board can correct me if I am wrong.
For pleasure driving shows, a road cart (my preference) or meadowbrook is a good vehicle, especially to start with. I think you could find one of these for the same price.
As to what to wear: Hat, gloves, apron, suit jacket & blouse (a scarf looks quite nice), slacks or skirt, and flats.
Per ADS rules, gloves, apron, and whip are required. This is my on real big peeve with breed shows, they often don’t carry whips (at least what I’ve seen on the AQHA circuit).
There have been some good threads recently on what to wear; those should be helpful too. :)[/QUOTE]
The cart I am thinking of purchasing is used in Morgan and Saddlebred shows as well as in breed shows, so I would assume there should not be a problem and have seen these at other shows on this circuit. Obviosuly I am not going to purchase a cart that cannot be used at breed shows and noone would show up in a meadowbrook type cart at those shows. Even if it “technically” isnt correct, we are doing it for fun, and schooling purposes. Howe er, don’t all carts have “spoked” wheels?? How elase would a wheel be construted except for with spokes? The one I am thinking of buying has both the metal spoked and the wooden spoked wheels. Harry (the guy who trained my stallion) thinks the wooden ones would look best with my horse.
Just trying to provide some info.
The style of driving/carriages between breed shows and USEF/ADS pleasure driving has quite a few differences and the equipment (carriages, harness) doesn’t always cross between the two. If you are only doing breed shows, it’s no biggy; if you’re also planning on doing shows that run under USEF/ADS pleasure driving rules, it may be a problem. Better to find out now than after you’ve invested money in a carriage. :yes:
I meant “spoked” as in wire wheels with pneumatic tires. These are prevalent in breed shows, but not allowed per ADS rules due to safety factors. I think some shows allow them in a novice driver division.
Good luck with everything. Best bet is to attend some of the shows you are thinking about competing at to get a feel for what people are using and wearing.
[QUOTE=KellyS;3951103]
Just trying to provide some info.
The style of driving/carriages between breed shows and USEF/ADS pleasure driving has quite a few differences and the equipment (carriages, harness) doesn’t always cross between the two. If you are only doing breed shows, it’s no biggy; if you’re also planning on doing shows that run under USEF/ADS pleasure driving rules, it may be a problem. Better to find out now than after you’ve invested money in a carriage. :yes:
I meant “spoked” as in wire wheels with pneumatic tires. These are prevalent in breed shows, but not allowed per ADS rules due to safety factors. I think some shows allow them in a novice driver division.
Good luck with everything. Best bet is to attend some of the shows you are thinking about competing at to get a feel for what people are using and wearing. :)[/QUOTE]
OH OK I get it (about the spoked). This aprticular cart has two sets of wheels so I guess that helps. Also the shafts are natural wood finish, which makes it look a bit different from the “regular” carts I see at the breed shows. At this open show circuit (which is the only one in our area that offers driving) you basically see EVERYTHING from roadsters to Meadowbrook types, minis, morgan types etc, so I think almost anythign (within reason) goes. Not sure if I’d ever try ADS stuff, but if so I will see if they would allow what I ahd before going. I jsut need a cart that can be fairly easily managed, would be impossible for me to haul around one of the BIG carts! And I am just “getting my feet wet” so to speak, but appreciate the info. I am sure my horse could do more than jsut the pleasure driving stuff with training, but doubt I’ll go there anytime soon!!
Clothes horse
Unless you have :1) lots of good thrift stores nearby
2) a job that lets you wear long skirts as routine
3) a good hand with a sewing machine
it seems reasonable to get an apron. I have seen people in shorts put an apron on and suddenly look correct in the carriage. In Florida, this can be an issue.
What colors to wear: look up a color wheel (art store paint, store). Decide that you want to emphasize–the opposite side of the wheel is called a complement. If you keep with a strict complement, it will cause a blinking effect on the viewer, so choose one side or the other of the complement. Usually, you want to emphasize the horse–unless you want to sell the carriage.
If you are not being judged too much on presentation, then fun is the key. Wear what makes you happy. Remember, unless you are driving as a professional, it’s supposed to be fun.:winkgrin:
[QUOTE=xsuzi;3952168]
Unless you have :1) lots of good thrift stores nearby
2) a job that lets you wear long skirts as routine
3) a good hand with a sewing machine
it seems reasonable to get an apron. I have seen people in shorts put an apron on and suddenly look correct in the carriage. In Florida, this can be an issue.
What colors to wear: look up a color wheel (art store paint, store). Decide that you want to emphasize–the opposite side of the wheel is called a complement. If you keep with a strict complement, it will cause a blinking effect on the viewer, so choose one side or the other of the complement. Usually, you want to emphasize the horse–unless you want to sell the carriage.
If you are not being judged too much on presentation, then fun is the key. Wear what makes you happy. Remember, unless you are driving as a professional, it’s supposed to be fun.:winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
What sort of “apron” and where would I find it?
A driving apron is mandatory for ADS Carriage Pleasure Driving type showing but is almost never seen in breed show ring type driving. IMO for the types of shows you are describing don’t worry about it.
[QUOTE=shawneeAcres;3951055]
The cart I am thinking of purchasing is used in Morgan and Saddlebred shows as well as in breed shows, so I would assume there should not be a problem and have seen these at other shows on this circuit. [/QUOTE] You probably really should just do a quick check that they’re used at precisely the same sort of shows that you are interested in.
Even if it “technically” isnt correct, we are doing it for fun, and schooling purposes.
Thing is though if it’s totally wrong you could either just get slung out of the class or else quickly dismissed and not get the support etc that you actually want. Doesn’t sound like that would be fun to me.
Howe er, don’t all carts have “spoked” wheels?? How elase would a wheel be construted except for with spokes?
Pneumatic tyres and wire spoke wheels are often not permitted at all in show classes. I have NEVER personally seen a class that permits them. You really should find out.
Whilst the carriage isn’t terribly expensive, as you’ve said it’s a lot of money to you and in any case it’s a lot of money to lay out to anyone if you’re not going to be able to use it for what you want.
You really do need to go to some shows and really look at the turnouts. The vehicle, the harness, the attire of the driver and passenger and take it from there.
Driving aprons are just standard attire for showing classes. Go look and chat to some folks … preferably those that are doing well and not those who are just paying to attend.
[IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/teampennin2/OldDominion139.jpg)
Then here I am last year, again my hat flew off so I didn’t have it. I have long hair so I always tie it back or add a dash of color, but nothing to take away from the whole picture, you want to present a nice view. This was in Maryland and we got 3rd place in this class. The man with me is my mentor and he also acted as my header too when we were in line up. You always want to smile, something I often times forget to do, as I am concentrating on a lot of things.
[IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/teampennin2/Roll1DX-10.jpg)
I hope I have helped you some, not confused you. Good luck and enjoy yourself and your beast!!
Thomas, I assure you I do well in the driving classes that I show in, and that neither I or none of my competitor ever wear and apron. This would be true in light horse and stock horse breed show classes.
Carts with wire spoke wheels and pneumatic tires are allowed at breed shows and most open shows. I have seeen thousands of horses driving in them in hundreds of classes and have never seen or even herd of an accident because of pneumatic tires, that is like saying an airplane could fall on you. And as the OP the cart she is interested in also has the option of putting wooden wheels on it. Yes, carriage pleasure driving folk get uppity about people showing up with Houton/Jerald type carts, even when they have wooden wheels, but this type of cart is the normal thing at breed shows.
You are not allowed to have a passenger in the cart at breed shows.
This is how it is in the United States, you know, where the horse is being shown.
Let me repeat: you don’t need special expensive clothes and things to show in driving when you are just getting started. I am sure you have nice clothes in your closet for wearing to a wedding or a funeral or whatever. Those will likely be fine. People get a little bent out of shape on this subject. Keep it simple and have fun
shawneeAcres you are getting told a lot of superfluous information here in regards to your situation :lol: I would double check that showing your horse to what is correct for its breed show rules at your local shows is okay and then go by that as that is where you ultimatly want to show your horse.
If you can sew - you can make a driving apron for yourself
Current trend is toward a longer apron when seated in the carriage - but with the type of cart you are looking to buy it needs to be short enough to safely get in the cart.
So what to do to make the apron - have someone measure you from waist to ankle while standing add 3-4 inches above the waist to this measurement - this is the total length of your apron
next measure around your hips and add about 2-4 inches - this is your widest measure
one more measurement you will need is from your waist to hips (where you measured before)
those dimensions give you how much fabric to buy
you want a fabric that will drape (so it doesnt stand away from you when you sit down) and yet is heavy enough to not blow around in the cart - IOW stays in place
Now fold the fabric in half from top to bottom
taking the waist to hip measure plus the 3-4 inches you added - measure down (at the open side) that distance and mark the fabric
now back at the top - measure in 3 inches and mark the fabric
draw a line between the 2 marks and cut along that line
this will taper the apron from you hip up to the waist.
Easy treatment - roll in all your edges about 1/2 inch x 2 (fold 1/2 in then again 1/2 in and sew)
fancier treatment - sew binding all around the whole fabric
then take 2 ties and sew at the waist (3-4 inches from the top) and WALA you have an apron
some people like longer ties to wrap around and tie in the front
you wear the apron above the waist - its purpose is to keep your cloths clean from the dust brought up by the cart and from the oil in the reins
Naw and even easier way to get an apron - but more expensive is to buy a premade one Claudette Robinson at Country Carriages in NC carries them and will talk you thru getting what you need over the phone
Other driving related stores also carry pre-made aprons too
Sherri Lower at Hats Off Boutique (hatsoffboutique.com) also makes beautiful aprons. She made one for me for Devon last year and I think it was around $100 for an apron with piping and monogram. Velcro at the waist makes it an easy on/off. But I couldn’t sew if my life depended on it. 
As to the comment about superfluous information…:rolleyes:
Driving at the Appaloosa World Show http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/ThumbPage.aspx?e=4235319&g=0GNE00512Q
Driving Apron From Sherri Lower
[QUOTE=KellyS;3954026]
Sherri Lower at Hats Off Boutique (hatsoffboutique.com) also makes beautiful aprons. She made one for me for Devon last year and I think it was around $100 for an apron with piping and monogram. Velcro at the waist makes it an easy on/off. But I couldn’t sew if my life depended on it.
As to the comment about superfluous information…:rolleyes:[/QUOTE]
I just had one custom made from Sherri and I believe it was $125 and I LOVE IT! That included my initals monogrammed in a contrasting color…
[QUOTE=Renae;3953952]
Thomas, I assure you I do well in the driving classes that I show in, and that neither I or none of my competitor ever wear and apron. [/QUOTE] All really “interesting” but this isn’t about you and the show classes you show in. I never said anything about what you do and it’s not relevent here is it? Or did I miss the part where the OP specifically said what sort of classes she wished to show in and what the rules were? I know I saw the OP saying that the classes were under rules and that there was a suggestion from an AMERICAN :yes: who it seems is allowed an opinion! :yes: that an apron may therefore likely be needed.
Carts with wire spoke wheels and pneumatic tires are allowed at breed shows and most open shows. I have seeen thousands of horses driving in them in hundreds of classes and have never seen or even herd of an accident because of pneumatic tires, that is like saying an airplane could fall on you.
I’m thinking you’ve got a vivid imagination and I never even mentioned accidents. It was someone else who mentioned the rules and the link to safety.
However IMO with all that show driving experience you’re eagre to tell us about you should well know that pneumatic tyres and wire wheels are frequently disallowed and ordinarily for safety reasons. In fact horse driving accidents occurring because this sort of wheel fails is much more common than planes falling out of the sky. You really should know that as an experienced driver.
And as the OP the cart she is interested in also has the option of putting wooden wheels on it. Yes, carriage pleasure driving folk get uppity about people showing up with Houton/Jerald type carts, even when they have wooden wheels, but this type of cart is the normal thing at breed shows.
Get over yourself for goodness sakes. It’s got NOTHING to do with getting uppety. If you knew anything about showing driving horses you’d know that there’s a huge spectrum of classes. No different with driving than riding! Folks were merely advising the OP to do the research before spending money and getting it wrong.
You are not allowed to have a passenger in the cart at breed shows.
Did the OP actually confirm that she was only going to show at Breed shows? I know she said she wouldn’t buy a cart that couldn’t even be used at breed shows but that’s not the same at all.
This is how it is in the United States, you know, where the horse is being shown.
No sh** Sherlock!
Did it take much effort to get a chip on your shoulder? Do you have to work hard at being parochial and small minded and so much so that you give the impression that no-one else knows anything about the United States ! let alone be permitted to have opinion on showing driving horses there!
I wonder how comes those other morons who posted the same as me hadn’t appreciated this was the United States. Tch tch they’re even Americans aren’t they!
Let me repeat: you don’t need special expensive clothes and things to show in driving when you are just getting started. I am sure you have nice clothes in your closet for wearing to a wedding or a funeral or whatever. Those will likely be fine. People get a little bent out of shape on this subject. Keep it simple and have fun
Let me repeat: Check at the shows you have ambition to attend BEFORE laying out a load of money.
shawneeAcres you are getting told a lot of superfluous information here in regards to your situation :lol:
ShawneeAcres you need to be aware that it’s much easier to get bad advice and wrong advice than it is to get good advice. There’s plenty of folks tell you what they do rather than what you need to know.
I would double check that showing your horse to what is correct for its breed show rules at your local shows is okay and then go by that as that is where you ultimatly want to show your horse.
(bangs head on table!) Isn’t that what everyone else said and what you got your knickers in a knot about!
To clarify, I will be driving in one open show circuit in NC that basically has a bit of everything showing in it. I have watched there a good bit and they have all kinds of carts/horses/ponies showing and noone gets “eliminated” It is a good place to start out. Yes I want to buy a Jerald/Houghton type of cart,as that is what is standard in Appaloosa breed shows, which I may do at some time. I seriously doubt that, right now anyways, I will get into other types of driving competitions where thie type of cart is not allowed. The particular cart I am looking at has both wooden and wire spoke wheels, so I can “interchange” and use what I wish, I think that is a plus so that I can look the part at whatever type of show I plan to try. I did not remember seeing any “aprons” at the type of shows I plan to show in so that was why I asked. In reviewin the rules for App breed shows it says nothing about an apron at all, jsut that a lap robe is require for short skirts. The type of cart is merely stated as being either two wheel or four wheel (which I have personally never seen), and two wheel may have wheels from 24 to 48 inches. ANyways, thanks for the info, some of it probably doesn’t apply to what I plan to do, but it is good to know for future use anyways!
