[Bailey-Boots]

we always plait up for the hunter classes over here. I bet Stevey looks lovely paited. Just out of interest what do you do in "hunters over there" do you have the judge ride and have to show a gallop? .. just interested in the difference

[freedom32]

My daughter rides hunters on the flat in an area where no one rides english. We always make sure our horse is immaculate, she always wears her jacket, her choice, even when the judge doesn't require them. To us looking professional is part of the package, and we both enjoy it. I brushed up my braiding skills this past year for our district show (15 years of rust), and plan on braiding more for our local shows to improve my skills ( ) and because it looks good, its the way it is supposed to be. Too much tradition is lost these days........ A good judge will use turnout as a tie breaker between two equally matched riders, and they should. It is a horse SHOW, you are there to exibit you and your horse to the best of your ability, and those who make the extra effort should be rewarded.

[*Psylocke*]

Originally Posted by SilentSpring

In hunter they are judging how the horse moves/jumps...in jumper, the speed and agility...in dressage, the horses mouvement and accuracy... It's just my opinion that you shouldn't be judged on, or expected to, dress a certain way or braid. But you should be judged on your riding ability and your horses ability.

I think you should look nice...but what I mean is, who decided that braiding and riding jackets are the only way to look nice? Who decided that something so impractical as a riding jacket should be what is considered "nice" in riding? It's tradition, yes...but many things have changed since then, so why shouldn't riders be accepted if they are wearing a clean, tucked in polo shirt and a vented helmet? If anything, wearing something uncomfortable would take away from your riding...so why wear anything more than you need?

If at, lets say, soccer practice or whatever (in summer), you showed up wearing pants and a sweatshirt, people would think you are crazy. Why? Because you are an athlete. You should be wearing what will let you perform the best...not what looks pretty. Horse back riders are athletes - out horses are athletes - not beauty queens.

As far as jumpers go you are correct but in hunters appearance should count, it is part of the illusion, it isnt JUST getting the job done you have to do it well and look good doing it....that should include your turnout IMO.

As far as who decided it looked nice, you answered that yourself...it is tradition.

Soccer isnt judged by how you kick the ball so appearance does not factor in there (except the obvious team uniforms).

Oh, I think it looks nice and should be done....lol I HAVE removed my coat for hunter pls in extreme heat (lol LCP I am a wimp, never dealt with Texas heat either! ) but I try very much not to and esp since I show all other ppls horses now, I want it to look professional. For jumpers, if I showed in there, I think I would agree with Zorse and only at bigger shows...

Psy

[Lou3]

I havent plaited a horse in years and i dont OWN a jacket. But then i really only compete in mounted games where it is against the rules to plait, and showjumping where its simply not necessary. If i were to start doing hunter classes i would certainly be plaiting up, but i dont see the need to sew plaits in, bands are just fine and look just as smart if the person who puts them in is competant. People would just have to deal with my lack of jacket though, i have a shirt and tie and would wear those but i cant borrow my sister's jacket for every show.

[irideazip]

I don't show english, but I see the same thing at the shows I go to all the time. I band my horses mane and dress in my best show clothes every time I show....no matter the size of the show. I think this should be done all the time...It shows respect for the judge and yourself and your horse. Showing the animal to the best of their advantage? Thats why I band my horse, show sheen her up, polish her hooves and make sure her tail is clean and free of tangles....I have won many a showmanship class without a pivot simply because my horse was turned out properly, and so was I. I don't care what others do...I will continue to "dress" for horse shows no matter what they are.

[No1Dazy]

I've never seen a "banded" mane. What is the difference between this and braids?

Mostly what we see here are hunter braids, buttons, or running braids on horses with long manes.

[Canadian Sage]

When I do the english days ONLY (when the days are seperated into english and western) I will braid my mares mane and tail. But when they are on the same day, I will just band it.

[CowGirlUp1833]

Originally Posted by Bailey-Boots

Just out of interest what do you do in "hunters over there" do you have the judge ride and have to show a gallop? .. just interested in the difference

No, but I wish they did....

[SilentSpring]

Originally Posted by *Psylocke*

As far as jumpers go you are correct but in hunters appearance should count, it is part of the illusion, it isnt JUST getting the job done you have to do it well and look good doing it....that should include your turnout IMO.

I understand more for hunters than anything -- I know that hunters are judged, and it just isnt your time and faults... BUT I guess in my opinion it should be how you look in terms of how the horse moves, their position, headset, etc...NOT their braids and the riders show clothes.

If a judge couldn't decide between 2 horses, and picked a bay over a chestnut because she likes bay horses better, how is that right? I dont think superficial things should matter...like a judge favoring a braided horse and well turned out rider in that situation. I understand that there is a difference, as you can't change your horse's colour, but you can braid, wear a jacket, etc.

All Im saying is that colour of the horse, riders skin colour, riders hair colour, etc etc shouldn't be judged why are we judging what they wear or how they do their horse's hair...I mean, doesn't that sound like what happens in high school, and what is so looked down upon? Your horses mane, your show clothes, etc says nothing about how good of a rider you are.

[zorse]

Originally Posted by Bailey-Boots
Just out of interest what do you do in "hunters over there" do you have the judge ride and have to show a gallop? .. just interested in the difference

Our hunters are completely different.
Minnie is always amazed.