White breeches in the regular hunter/equitation classes?

[ladyj79]

@ladyj79

You cannot ride big jumper classes in anything but white breeches. You certainly see colored/beige breeches in the lower classes, but lots of white, and for big classes exclusively white unless like many Italian riders for instance you are wearing a military uniform.

[Woodsperson]

They pick up saddle oil and stain and the real problem-white pants make your butt look bigger.

[MHM]

@ladyj79

You cannot ride big jumper classes in anything but white breeches. You certainly see colored/beige breeches in lower classes, but lots of white, and for big classes exclusively white unless like many Italian riders for instance you are wearing a military uniform.

Check the USEF rules. Fawn (tan) is always allowed. Most people wear white, but it is not a requirement.

JP111.9. Attire
a. Formal Jumper Attire. Dark, muted or similar colored, or red (scarlet) coats are required; team or sponsored coats of different colors are also permitted; white or fawn breeches; a white tie, choker (unless the shirt, by design, has the choker built in for its intended use) or hunting stock, and a white or lightly colored shirt must be worn.

[ladyj79]

@MHM

Check the USEF rules. Fawn (tan) is always allowed. Most people wear white, but it is not a requirement.

JP111.9. Attire
a. Formal Jumper Attire. Dark, muted or similar colored, or red (scarlet) coats are required; team or sponsored coats of different colors are also permitted; white or fawn breeches; a white tie, choker (unless the shirt, by design, has the choker built in for its intended use) or hunting stock, and a white or lightly colored shirt must be worn.

I’m sorry, I should clarify, by big jumper classes I mean FEI. You must wear whites on dress days. It is also standard in big USEF classes. Thus, again, the statement that “white breeches scream eventers and dressage” and is rarely seen in jumpers was incorrect. It is not only common in jumpers, it is de rigueur at the upper levels and widely emulated at lower levels.

[ladyj79]

(Also this thread continues to be petty and ridiculous. Just doing my part :lol::lol::lol:)

[ynl063w]

@SnicklefritzG

There are rules and then there are traditions. In the equitation and hunters, even though the rules say that white is acceptable, a lot of people choose to not wear white because they don’t want to look different.

Even though some judges may not actively penalize someone for wearing white, it may call attention to the rider in a way that is not positive.

A rider wearing white in a sea of riders wearing beige is going to stand out. If that rider exhibits a flaw such as a swinging lower leg, heels that aren’t down, etc. it may be more noticeable to the judge. Wearing the same colors as everyone else is like camouflage in a way.

This post and many others draw attention to the fact that that the show hunter world has become an incestuous, snobby, clique from which newbies should just stay away. The rule book says don’t give your horse GABA, cocaine, etc, but the cool kids know that’s perfectly ok to do. The rule book says you can wear white breeches, but if you do, the judges will look at you with such a side eye that they won’t be able to judge your trip fairly, and the cool kids will never talk to you.

You know what - you all totally deserve people like Larry Glefke and Kelley Farmer. The horses still don’t though.

[Denali6298]

@ynl063w

This post and many others draw attention to the fact that that the show hunter world has become an incestuous, snobby, clique from which newbies should just stay away. The rule book says don’t give your horse GABA, cocaine, etc, but the cool kids know that’s perfectly ok to do. The rule book says you can wear white breeches, but if you do, the judges will look at you with such a side eye that they won’t be able to judge your trip fairly, and the cool kids will never talk to you.

You know what - you all totally deserve people like Larry Glefke and Kelley Farmer. The horses still don’t though.

If I could like your post more than once I would. I would like to thank everyone for driving me away.:applause:

[MHM]

@ladyj79

I’m sorry, I should clarify, by big jumper classes I mean FEI. You must wear whites on dress days. It is also standard in big USEF classes. Thus, again, the statement that “white breeches scream eventers and dressage” and is rarely seen in jumpers was incorrect. It is not only common in jumpers, it is de rigueur at the upper levels and widely emulated at lower levels.

Actually, according to the FEI rules:

Article 256.1.5. Civilians are required to wear the uniform or clothing approved by their NF, a red coat or a black coat, white or light fawn breeches, black or brown boots. Other dark coloured boots may be approved at the discretion of the FEI. Shirts may have long or short sleeves and must have a white collar; long-sleeved shirts must have white cuffs. A white tie or choker must be worn. If a jacket is not worn shirts must have sleeves, either short or long sleeves are permitted.

[gottagrey]

@ladyj79

You cannot ride big jumper classes in anything but white breeches. You certainly see colored/beige breeches in lower classes, but lots of white, and for big classes exclusively white unless like many Italian riders for instance you are wearing a military uniform.

Sorry I should have mentioned “lower level jumper classes”

[Alterrain]

@KBC

I don’t understand all the conventions etc, but does the judge in one class know what else you are competing in?

Sorry just trying to get my head around the thought that it is OK to wear whites if you have other classes, but not if you don’t…just curious…

No, they don’t. You could be competing not only in a different ring but a whole different show. Last week in Wellington you could have showed at WEF, Deeridge and The Ridge all on the same day. Saying don’t show a hunter in whites is like saying don’t show a low schooling in whites. You certainly can, and many do, every day. It’s a non-event. This thread has gotten very bizarre.

And - @gottagrey- If you go to sportfot and click on any hunter division (other than maybe small and medium ponies) you will see tons of people, of any gender, wearing whites in hunters.

[ladyj79]

@MHM

Actually, according to the FEI rules:

Article 256.1.5. Civilians are required to wear the uniform or clothing approved by their NF, a red coat or a black coat, white or light fawn breeches, black or brown boots. Other dark coloured boots may be approved at the discretion of the FEI. Shirts may have long or short sleeves and must have a white collar; long-sleeved shirts must have white cuffs. A white tie or choker must be worn. If a jacket is not worn shirts must have sleeves, either short or long sleeves are permitted.

:lol::lol::lol:
this just gets better. I will have to tell the stewards to stop posting notices with “whites” written on them. Oh wait, I’m sure you’re already on that.

SO rules are important to you sometimes, but tradition at other times. The irony is delicious. I think you’re ready to write your own rule book.

[gottagrey]

@ladyj79

I’m sorry, I should clarify, by big jumper classes I mean FEI. You must wear whites on dress days. It is also standard in big USEF classes. Thus, again, the statement that “white breeches scream eventers and dressage” and is rarely seen in jumpers was incorrect. It is not only common in jumpers, it is de rigueur at the upper levels and widely emulated at lower levels.

For the record, I didn’t say white breeches “Scream eventers or dressage” though I did say if I were to see a rider enter a hunter (not jumper but regular hunter type) class my first thought would be event or dressage rider as I have yet to see anyone wearing white breeches in a regular hunter class. And I see plenty of dressage and event riders wearing white breeches. For the record I’m in Zone 3 so perhaps white breeches are in an in thing elsewhere in the country. And I didn’t say white breeches were rarely seen in jumpers I said that many jumper riders are wearing beige and other colors in jumpers. I also made the assumption that many of us on here know that at the upper levels white is traditionally worn in GP and FEI classes.

[ladyj79]

@gottagrey

For the record, I didn’t say white breeches “Scream eventers or dressage” though I did say if I were to see a rider enter a hunter (not jumper but regular hunter type) class my first thought would be event or dressage rider as I have yet to see anyone wearing white breeches in a regular hunter class. And I see plenty of dressage and event riders wearing white breeches. For the record I’m in Zone 3 so perhaps white breeches are in an in thing elsewhere in the country. And I didn’t say white breeches were rarely seen in jumpers I said that many jumper riders are wearing beige and other colors in jumpers. I also made the assumption that many of us on here know that at the upper levels white is traditionally worn in GP and FEI classes.

For the record, no worries. I don’t find you irrational or comical. You’re grand. I did not mean to insinuate otherwise. In low classes during the week even at fei everyone wears whatever colors.

[gottagrey]

@ladyj79

For the record, no worries. I don’t find you irrational or comical. You’re grand. I did not mean to insinuate otherwise. In low classes during the week even at fei everyone wears whatever colors.

F

I think we’re all in agreement that the OP is probably better off steering clear of white in the hunters… call me crazy and this is a digression but I’d like to see the trend go back to the velvet helmets I the hunters - approved like Chas Owen Hampton Classic etc.

[princechamp20]

@Daventry

This is incorrect. USEF rule HU128.2 (page 894) states, “Breeches may be buff, canary, tan, rust or white.” I am a USEF R Hunter judge. I would never penalize a hunter competitor for wearing white breeches in the ring. There are bigger problems to worry about while judging.

In regards to someone who doesn’t know the traditions of the sport, as long as they are following all of the rule and lay down a nice trip worthy of a ribbon in a hunter class, I’m gonna pin them.

Thank you for clearing this up. You’re the kind of judge I would loved to be judged by at a horse show.

[princechamp20]

@MHM

It is not traditional, and therefore inadvisable, unless you have a legitimate reason, such as showing in a jumper classic on the same day. Otherwise you may give the impression of someone who either doesn’t know or doesn’t respect the traditions of the sport.

MHM, I frequently showed in the hunters and eq as a junior, so I am well aware of the traditions of both disciplines. I have no intentions of disrespecting the sport, but I also believe in wearing what’s comfortable for both horse and rider while adhering to the rules.

[princechamp20]

@JenEM

Traditionally only by men, though, as only they wore pinque coats. That’s evolved, as much of attire traditions and rules have over the years.

OP, white breeches may be legal, but why oh WHY would you want to wear them? Have you shown in whites before? They’re even more unflattering than beige, and are miserable to try to keep clean. After one wear you’ll despair of ever getting them clean enough to show in again.

This is just me personally, but I’ve never felt tan breeches looked flattering on me. I’ve evented and shown jumpers in whites and haven’t had a problem keeping them clean.

[mvp]

@Midge

Well, it implies that as a rider, they would not wear white. They never replied from a judge’s perspective at all.

Yeah, but what judge-cum-competitor decides to bring their B game to the ring? I think the presumption that the standards held were the same was a fair reading of MHM’s series of posts up to that point.

[PaintedHunter]

Giiiiiiiiirl, I’m an eventer and even I wouldn’t wear white in a hunter class.

[gottagrey]

@princechamp20

This is just me personally, but I’ve never felt tan breeches looked flattering on me. I’ve evented and shown jumpers in whites and haven’t had a problem keeping them clean.

OP thanks for validating my earlier comment when I said, if I saw a rider enter the ring wearing white breeches my initial impression would be an eventer," By all means wear white breeches if that’s what you prefer.