Why aren't we braiding anymore??

hollymarie · 01-16-2006, 01:11 PM

I agree with you. For a hunter class plaited mane and jacket should be mandatory. I would not dream of turning out to any hunter class, no matter how small the show, with my horse's mane unplaited or wearing anything other than a tweed or navy jacket as is correct for hunters over here. By the same token i would turn out to a dressage show with a pink fluffy saddle pad or without my shirt and tie, with black jacket unless the weather is over 27*C, in which case i will not risk heatstroke for the sake of a ribbon. If the judges mark me down for it then thats up to them, but i dont think a shirt and tie looks any less smart and respectful.
Showjumping and other "performance" events are a different matter, you wear what you like as long as you're clean, your dress isnt being judged. But in a showing ring its just manners. Sadly lacking all too often.

Trevor-Runner · 01-16-2006, 01:54 PM

I definitley agree with you! I think it looks so great when all the horses are braided. I always braid for shows, it's basically like tradition.

EqUeStRiAn · 01-16-2006, 02:40 PM

I always braid/bath for shows, regardless of rating, with the exception of saddleseat classes which it is not allowed.

POA · 01-16-2006, 02:44 PM

I always braid and wear full attire. I've always been told you do it out of respect. You respect yourself, your not going to go into a show ring in jeans and a shirt. You respect your horse, you braid and groom to make him look good, it would be embarassing for him to be brought into a show ring unbraided and not properly groomed. You respect the judge, a judge wont think much of you for coming into the ring w/o full attire and a well groomed, braided horse. They'll think that your trying to waste thier time. Even if its just a small show, they want your respect, you want to be able to respect yourself. A judge will think more of you for doing all of this. Thats how I was told why you do everything you do for a horse show.

AutumnAttic · 01-16-2006, 02:47 PM

i ALWAYS dress up, and ALWAYS braid. You want to show the judges respect. Not give them the impression that youre doing just enough to get by.

*Jamie* · 01-16-2006, 04:22 PM

I find that the larger, well-organized schooling shows with a higher caliber of riders usually have excellent turnout. The majority of the horses are braided and super shiny - excellent show turnout. And same for the rider. (Nearly everyone had a show jacket, etc)

On the other hand, I've also been to some other schooling shows that just aren't as well-known and well-run. (So I guess the lower end of schooling shows?) And I was surprised to find that very few horses were braided, and many riders didn't have jackets either!!

My coach makes it MANDATORY for us to braid at the higher end shows. (she made us pay for a professional braider lol) But she makes it optional for us for those lower end schooling shows.
(& sorry, but I guess I'm one of those who won't braid if they dont have to. I LIKE the natural mane look)

Interesting topic!!

willeys bonanza · 01-16-2006, 05:49 PM

well ive really only been to one show really which was the county fair. i know its sad and im gonna show in the summer. anyway everyone wore dress coats, and looked really sharp. every mane was braided or put up in some sort of way. the only time coats werent worn was that weekend was up to 90's degrees. i prersonally think that proper dress and grooming should be required at most shows. unless uncontrollable things happen like weather. even at schooling shows. riders need to learn how to do it properly sometime. when i show i planned on wearing a coat, tall boots, and good grooming. even if ppl are showing for fun, at least where i live there are a couple of tack shops that have consignment things or used show coats that are cheap.

bay_blnd jmpr07 · 01-16-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentSpring

All that I dissagree with is: Why? Why should they place higher? Isn't that what most people are against in life...judging people based on their appearance?

I think its sad if we have to resort to looks and clothes to judge our sport. :P Thats just me haha...I realize I am against the majority in this thread.

Because it shows that rider took the extra time to make everything look its best. And this comes from a h/j judge(not me LOL)

Kiwi Pony · 01-16-2006, 10:02 PM

Hey, I spent enough money on my jacket to make me want to get the most use out of it! Otherwise, I'm a big fan of well turned out. I can't STAND unpulled manes and untrimmed tails. Not meaning to offend those of you who like that. But IMO it is part of (english) turn out. If you aren't going to plait for a smaller show, at least pull and trim

honeydoozy · 01-16-2006, 11:35 PM

Well... I'm old. So whatever I say from here on out probably reflects that. (LOL)

Growing up, we didn't have the "option" of braiding or not - not for ANY level of show. If you were going to compete - you braided. They didn't have to look great, but *everyone* got up early and it was part of the routine. It was part of the fun. (well, I probably didn't appreciate it that much then... but I do NOW.)

In my area of the world, braiding at anything but AA shows is rare. In some cases, it's clearly discouraged. At one barn around here, it's forbidden. (I wish someone from there could really explain *that* to me)

I just don't get it. If you're going to spend the big bucks to go out and compete - why do it half-way? You wouldn't go to a job interview without fixing hair and makeup...

Not if you wanted to make the best impression, anyway.

01-16-2006, 01:54 PM	#32
Trevor-Runner Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario Canada BABY! Posts: 1,869 Images: 121 Blog Entries: 1	I definitley agree with you! I think it looks so great when all the horses are braided. I always braid for shows, it's basically like tradition. __________________ I've been boo'ed.

01-16-2006, 02:40 PM	#33
EqUeStRiAn Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: CALGARY, CANADA Posts: 3,864 Images: 130	I always braid/bath for shows, regardless of rating, with the exception of saddleseat classes which it is not allowed. __________________ M YB E S T D A Y *~6 y/o Saddlebred Mare~* AkA: *"Daisy" http://community.webshots.com/user/MyBestDay*

01-16-2006, 02:47 PM	#35
AutumnAttic Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Michigan U.S.A. Posts: 5,375 Images: 89	i ALWAYS dress up, and ALWAYS braid. You want to show the judges respect. Not give them the impression that youre doing just enough to get by. __________________ <3 Amber no guts = no glory I've been love struck.

01-16-2006, 05:49 PM	#37
willeys bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,005 Images: 43	well ive really only been to one show really which was the county fair. i know its sad and im gonna show in the summer. anyway everyone wore dress coats, and looked really sharp. every mane was braided or put up in some sort of way. the only time coats werent worn was that weekend was up to 90's degrees. i prersonally think that proper dress and grooming should be required at most shows. unless uncontrollable things happen like weather. even at schooling shows. riders need to learn how to do it properly sometime. when i show i planned on wearing a coat, tall boots, and good grooming. even if ppl are showing for fun, at least where i live there are a couple of tack shops that have consignment things or used show coats that are cheap. __________________ Miami Valley Pony Club Clermont County 4H Blazin' Saddles

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01-16-2006, 01:11 PM	#31
hollymarie Full Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: uk Posts: 110	I agree with you. For a hunter class plaited mane and jacket should be mandatory. I would not dream of turning out to any hunter class, no matter how small the show, with my horse's mane unplaited or wearing anything other than a tweed or navy jacket as is correct for hunters over here. By the same token i would turn out to a dressage show with a pink fluffy saddle pad or without my shirt and tie, with black jacket unless the weather is over 27*C, in which case i will not risk heatstroke for the sake of a ribbon. If the judges mark me down for it then thats up to them, but i dont think a shirt and tie looks any less smart and respectful. Showjumping and other "performance" events are a different matter, you wear what you like as long as you're clean, your dress isnt being judged. But in a showing ring its just manners. Sadly lacking all too often.

01-16-2006, 02:44 PM	#34
POA Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: in the arena Posts: 1,249 Images: 174	I always braid and wear full attire. I've always been told you do it out of respect. You respect yourself, your not going to go into a show ring in jeans and a shirt. You respect your horse, you braid and groom to make him look good, it would be embarassing for him to be brought into a show ring unbraided and not properly groomed. You respect the judge, a judge wont think much of you for coming into the ring w/o full attire and a well groomed, braided horse. They'll think that your trying to waste thier time. Even if its just a small show, they want your respect, you want to be able to respect yourself. A judge will think more of you for doing all of this. Thats how I was told why you do everything you do for a horse show.

01-16-2006, 04:22 PM	#36
Jamie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 408 Images: 52	I find that the larger, well-organized schooling shows with a higher caliber of riders usually have excellent turnout. The majority of the horses are braided and super shiny - excellent show turnout. And same for the rider. (Nearly everyone had a show jacket, etc) On the other hand, I've also been to some other schooling shows that just aren't as well-known and well-run. (So I guess the lower end of schooling shows?) And I was surprised to find that very few horses were braided, and many riders didn't have jackets either!! My coach makes it MANDATORY for us to braid at the higher end shows. (she made us pay for a professional braider lol) But she makes it optional for us for those lower end schooling shows. (& sorry, but I guess I'm one of those who won't braid if they dont have to. I LIKE the natural mane look) Interesting topic!!

01-16-2006, 10:02 PM	#39
Kiwi Pony Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,320 Images: 119 Blog Entries: 34	Hey, I spent enough money on my jacket to make me want to get the most use out of it! Otherwise, I'm a big fan of well turned out. I can't STAND unpulled manes and untrimmed tails. Not meaning to offend those of you who like that. But IMO it is part of (english) turn out. If you aren't going to plait for a smaller show, at least pull and trim

01-16-2006, 11:35 PM	#40
honeydoozy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2005 Location: sunny so. california Posts: 1,744 Images: 49	Well... I'm old. So whatever I say from here on out probably reflects that. (LOL) Growing up, we didn't have the "option" of braiding or not - not for ANY level of show. If you were going to compete - you braided. They didn't have to look great, but everyone got up early and it was part of the routine. It was part of the fun. (well, I probably didn't appreciate it that much then... but I do NOW.) In my area of the world, braiding at anything but AA shows is rare. In some cases, it's clearly discouraged. At one barn around here, it's forbidden. (I wish someone from there could really explain that to me) I just don't get it. If you're going to spend the big bucks to go out and compete - why do it half-way? You wouldn't go to a job interview without fixing hair and makeup... Not if you wanted to make the best impression, anyway.