[lexukc]

When I was showing we always braided and turned out our horses to the best of our ability (I'll admit when I first started my braids didn't always look like they should). Even when one barn I rode at hosted schooling shows for in-barn riders only (and this is a lesson only barn, not a show barn) we would make sure all the school horses were braided. All riders would wear a jacket, although no tall boots, and would share jackets as necessary.

[farmeress]

Originally Posted by Kirsten93

I just want to point out that not everyone has the money for tall boots or a nice jacket. I've only been to one show on a horse that wasn't mine (don't own one) so I was not going to go out and spend close to 1000 dollars on boots and a jacket that I was never going to use again.
That being said, I did make sure that my half-chaps were clean, my helmet was black, and my hair was tucked in. This is what I looked like:


Fair enough for those who are only doing one show...but a suggestion....a borrowed jacket/or a dark jacket/seater would have been a better choice for the ring instead of a white shirt....it is best to keep the colours of the ring instead of standing out with a white shirt in the Hunter ring



I probably should have braided his mane, but he's not my pony so I didn't have the time to go out and make sure he was all spiffy. I did, however, spend about two hours just making sure that little afro of a mane layed flat


Ummmm...two hours....heck...braiding it up would have worked too....and in the same or less time


ETA: It was a schooling show and about 104 in the shade that day, so a jacket really wasn't necessary anyway, in fact they told us to please not wear them as they didn't want any of us to die

IMO....this is where the classic riding shirt is best to have...or...a very tall necked fitted blouse tucked into breeches with a nice belt that is acceptable at schooling shows/non-core classes

[passe831]

Now your making me feel guilty

every show this year (Bronze) I've been well turned out head to toe. But this weekend Im mostly doing jumpers with one hunter division so I was gunna sacrifice braiding.. your making me reconsider... when I'm at the barn later braiding the beast, Im gunna be angry at you

[MysticRealm]

This is my turnout for the hunters (though mind you I show A-rated shows)

[Kirsten93]

Fair enough for those who are only doing one show...but a suggestion....a borrowed jacket/or a dark jacket/seater would have been a better choice for the ring instead of a white shirt....it is best to keep the colours of the ring instead of standing out with a white shirt in the Hunter ring- (fameress quote)

hehe, that is the problem with having a large chest...other people's shirts just don't fit Trust me, I tried. Same with boots on a size 11 foot...

[farmeress]

You know Mystic...this is soooooooooo unfair of me....but....if you were to ever come to a schooling/bronze show turned out casually....I would be sooo disappointed in you.....every picture I see has you turned out beautifully....much like many of our show riders....I just...just....

Heck....I probably would not actually recognize you guys anyway in the rough I am so used to the picture turnout...lol.

[farmeress]

Originally Posted by passe831

Now your making me feel guilty

every show this year (Bronze) I've been well turned out head to toe. But this weekend Im mostly doing jumpers with one hunter division so I was gunna sacrifice braiding.. your making me reconsider... when I'm at the barn later braiding the beast, Im gunna be angry at you

My job is done here...oh....and I have strong shoulders....I can carry the weight of your anger

Good on you for braiding

[MysticRealm]

I actually braid my horse for the jumper ring haha. He just looks so professional. Though I do wear a nice polo sometimes in the jumpers as that is the style right now. Big classes still warrant a show shirt and jacket.

[EQRider]

Eeep! I couldn't imagine going to a show without proper turnout

I mean, unless it was a "Barn" show, where a judge comes and its CLEAR that the "show" is completly informal, (almost like a clinic) then I wouldn't braid/band and just wear a sweater and jods...

I ALWAYS use a white show pad, jackets on 90+ days at shows, bath, braid OR band...

To me, it's a huge reflection on you and your horse, respect towards the judge...

[Harley2]

OMG, I would be shot if I wasnt turned out properly when I used to show. My old boss used to judge at the National HS in MSG for crying out loud. When announcements were made that we could take our coats off due to the heat, he would say that "the horse cant take his coat off, if you want him to suffer the heat you do too, or else scratch"

Oh and as for when polos came in style for the jumpers, he would tell us it was direspectful tothe tradition of our sport. "If George Morris had to show fully dressed so do you" LOL