Now bear in mind, I live in North Dakota where most people do English classes as a filler for the all around and I have seen people get away with sparkly helmets, bright teal coats, no hair nets, etc.
Anyway I saw this coat on Dover and I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s the flint plaid one. I showed open shows in a light gray Kerrits coat last summer and loved everything about it but this pattern is amazing. I really struggle with the concept of neutral colors and fitting in. I’m a bling and bright colors kind of person so I’m trying to find somewhat of a happy medium for the huntseat ring…
That’s pretty out there. Granted it may look more subtle in person, but I sort of doubt that. What color is your horse? And is it the type of mover that you can get away with an elaborate coat? I live in the western plains where very few people show strictly hunt seaters and I still wouldn’t wear a coat like that.
Will you be disqualified? No. Will you be penalized for it? Also not likely (though I will say, DON’T wear it in the eq). But it is still gaudy for a discipline with fairly conservative roots. Bling and bright colors have their own ring. You can still show some subtle flair and individualism; it’s of a different magnitude.
Now all that being said, it’s still your coat you’re shopping for. Buy and wear what makes you happy. The more traditional crowd (this coming from someone who used to wear royal blue shirts) will cringe at this coat. But it’s your money…
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I think it’s fine!
Some people that do the HUS have really bright blue plaids, grey or brown striped or checked, etc.
It’s not as loud or wild as some of the ones I’ve seen at the congress or the AQHA world show in the Hunter Under Saddle classes.
I will try to find some examples and link them in a separate comment.
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He’s a really rich dark sorrel and is definitely fancy enough of a mover to pull off an “out there” coat. For the record I would never wear something like this in “real” hunter classes but those don’t exist in my region. We have open shows that you can show in a sun shirt or polo or breed shows where nobody cares about hunters except like 5 of us lol.
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Here are some jackets that were obviously acceptable at the world championship and congress level, so I’m sure that Kerrits jacket will be lovely
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Wear what you like the judge is judging the horse not you. Besides the “traditionalists” are losing out anyway. Examples are everywhere now
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Boy, setting aside the coats, it’s amazing how weird it looks now to see people wearing the old hunt caps.
Free country and all that. It just looks so odd after getting used to the modern helmets.
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A lot of people do wear “modern” helmets with a harness, it is rider preference, but most of the hunter under saddle people still do a press-on ascot. I used to love mine, but now I think it looks bizarre on me after years in nice hunter type helmets with the wide brims.
Most AQHA HUS riders that I know also do the western classes where helmets are rarely, if ever, worn. I’d even go so far as to say that the majority are western-first riders who happen to also compete in the HUS classes, and not the other way around so it’s not much wonder that people don’t wear them.
I’m not even sure that youths are required to wear ASTM helmets.
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Looks like a 4 button dressage coat. My biggest concern with really loud fabrics is that it definitely attracts the eye to that area of the body so if you have any weaknesses with posture, it’s going to be magnified and attention drawn to it.
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It is. I have it in a lovely medium brown.
I think the Flint Plaid would not be allowed in recognized dressage shows but if it were, with my black horse, I’d wear it in a heartbeat.
That said, I’ll offer my usual advice when it comes to questions like this: if you think it will be a problem, best not to do it.
You’re right, it wouldn’t be allowed in dressage but the Super Woman riding boots aren’t a problem! 
(Taken from the USDF dress attire visual guide)
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It’s all so bizarre. 
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Maroon and red are the two jacket colors that are not allowed in AQHA; however the rule book does state “riders should wear coats of traditional colors such as navy, dark green, grey, black, or brown”.
That jacket is decidedly not traditional in pattern, though it is in color.
If it were me, I absolutely would not wear it. However, I think it depends on your goals. I go because I want to give myself the best chance at placing as high as possible - I don’t want to sabotage myself because I’m trying to be eccentric with my clothing. Others may not care about how well they do, provided they get to wear what they want. It’s your prerogative.
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I like the navy or black better. 
but at aqha shows in NY/CT/MA I see the old school wool pinstripe/plaid RJ and GP coats, and quite a few saddles that date probably from the 80’s - early 90’s with channels barely wide enough for 2 fingers.
To me, this coat looks modern and fun, and if it fits you well it’s sure to be far more comfortable than the old wool ones! (I’ll just second my preference for navy or black, since my roots are hunters and Eq lol)
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@Warmblood1 I’m a weirdo. If I had money to burn, I’d get those purple boots in a second. I love purple!
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You’re not alone. I have friends that go wild over crazy looking boots. Have a ton of pairs. I started riding dressage when it was a sin to have anything colored. Before rhinestones, everything. Brown tack was a big move for me. Lol.
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Kerrits clearly made that pattern for SOMEONE. Where would that pattern/color/style be expected to be worn? I’m scratching my head?!
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I want the red ones with the blue laces! 
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the Arabian group usually has some… fun… outfits.
Or maybe the Gypsy folks.
