Hi everyone,

I'm pretty new here, and as you may have guessed from my name, I ride mainly western.  I have a registered Paint horse and compete at some of the closer APHA shows around here, and also on a couple of other circuits.  Up until now I have only ever shown Western, and things have gone very well. (I won a few trophies/high point awards, and a belt buckle this year...)  I do ride English occasionally and know most of the terms/classes etc.  I've just never actually shown English...  My horse goes very well English and I've never forced him to collect/slow for western pleasure, I've just been very patient and have always allowed him to trot out/canter  etc.  under a western saddle every now and then.  I am really lucky to have him, because he is very versatile.  So this year I was kind of thinking that I would enter him in the English classes at the APHA shows (they are a bit smaller).  Mainly hunter under saddle (You should see his extended trot!!!)  I sort of have an idea of what I'll need, but I'd just like your opinions/input to make sure that I start off on the right track.  I have access to plenty of English equipment for practice, it's just the show stuff that I'm wondering about.

First of all, do the show jackets/coats have to be black?  I'd really like to have a dark navy show jacket with a very light blue shirt underneath, would this be acceptable? 
Should I invest in a good pair of leather boots for show, or are rubber ones okay?  I'm assuming that leather is more popular at the bigger shows.
What kind of saddle would you reccomend, I've tried Wintecs but definitely do not want to show in one, I know that leather would be MUCH better for showing...  I kind of like the Collegiate or the Griffith Premium saddles, does anyone here have any experience with those particular brands?  And if I usually ride in a 15-16 inch western saddle, what size would I use for English?   I generally use one of my instructor's saddles for practice, but never really checked to see what size it was.  Isn't there a size difference of an inch or something?  I really should know the answer to this but I never thought that I would be showing English so it didn't matter all that much to me... 
Oh and last but not least, breeches...  *shivers*  haha I really prefer jeans...  What would be a good price to pay for breeches?  And are there any particular styles that won't show "lines" as much? Some women around here won't ride unless they've got their seamless undies on, but others don't care at all...

Thank you so much for any help!!!

Dark navy jackets are classic.  I've been out of showing for a few years, but I can't imagine a nice dark navy jacket being an issue at all.  A tasteful light blue shirt should go well and be fine (I like to keep to the classic white or pastels, no bright shirts or obvious stripes for me personally).

 You don't have to wear black, you can wear a dark blue.  I do believe that the dark blue coat/ jacket will be okay. Yes I do think you should invest in leather field boots. You can get penalized for wearing rubber, at least at the shows I've been to. I have not competed yet but plan to next spring, or if things go well, this fall.  I don't have experience with those brands. I got mine off ebay and it doesn't have a name on it. I was told that whatever size you are in western go up 2 sizes. I usually use a 15 in western. I was stunned when I found out I was a 17 in english. I felt I needed to exercise more. LOL!!!  I don't own a pair that doesn't show "lines" so I have to use the seamless undies. LOL!!!! You can get them brand new on ebay really cheap. I personally buy them, and everything you need for showing, from www.horseloverz.com. They are brand new and I bought my breeches for $5.00 in the auction section of their site. They have name brands for $45.00. You can also go to www.doversaddlery.com to find all the clothes. Hope this helps.

  I don't know about your price range, but Marcel Toulouse (the Noelle) ,makes a saddle that will fit just about anything.  It fits my extra wide- to medium wide horses in the same day.  Also they are very soft french calfskin and require no break in.  I second Dover saddlery, always have had a great experience with them! 

Breeches, just some brands for you to think about and do some research on

Tuff Rider

On Course

F.I.T.S. (Very pricey, but truly the comfiest pair I have ever bought)

Devon aire are decent, mine tore up after 1/2 a season (but they are a lot cheaper)

Romfh (if you can find them) will last you years!

and check ebay for used Tailored Sportsmen (be sure to get the ones with 4-way stretch) and Ariat.

Good for you for expanding your horizens! Keep us updated on how you do!

 Actually a lot of people these days don't wear black jackets. Navy and dark grey (with a subtle pattern like a plaid or a stripe) are the bigger trend, as are colored shirts. Navy with light blue shirt would be great. Definately invest in leather boots or even a pair of quality half chaps if you don't want to shell out that much money (or break them in). I personally cringe if I see rubber boots in the show ring! They don't fit well, they don't ride well, and they just don't look good. Collegiate makes a great saddle and I haven't heard of Griffith. Again, for showing you'll want real leather over a synthetic. I'd also avoid black. If you really like the Wintecs you could check out a Bates. They're made by the same company and have the same tree, but being made with leather they are much more expensive. What I heard for sizing is to add 2 inches to your western saddle, which would put you in a 17 or 18 (or 17.5). Different saddles will fit you differently though so I'd recommend trying out a few before you buy. Ah the joys of finding good breeches... You can find anything from $5 on ebay to several hundred dollars and still come out with a good pair of breeches. Again, different brands will fit you differently. I don't like the 'lines' either or feeling like my butt's sticking out so I actually buy a size bigger so they're slightly baggy. A lot of the show breeches (tailored sportsmans, ariat pro circuit, etc) are cut so they're baggier around the hips which will minimize lines. Try on as many as you can and find what looks and feels the best on you.

Hey, congrats on getting out there and trying some new things!

As the other posters have mentioned, dark colored jackets are classic, though once in a while you see light colored ones. Navy blue with a light blue shirt would look great. I have a dark brown jacket that has a faint pink stripe, and wear it with a pink shirt, so colors run the spectrum.

For boots... look around at tack consignment shops to see if you can find a nice used leather pair of field boots to show in. There are some synthetic leather boots out there that are under 100 bucks if you want to consider them. I've never seen a pair in person, but in catalogs they look pretty sharp. If you are going all out and buying new leather field boots, I cannot say enough good things about the Mountain Horse Richmond boot. They are god's gift to English riders!

I have a nice pair of Ovation breeches that I show in, and I think I paid around 70 for them. I like them a lot and they are holding up well. They are "EuroWeave" or something like that... they are a little roomier than most breeches and dont fight like a pair of dance tights (and therefore less VPL!!). Just try on lots of pairs and buy ones that you like that are in your price range.

As far as a saddle... use whatever fits you and your horse best. Measurement for English saddles is taken while you are seated in a chair, feet flat on the floor, measuring from your knee to your hip. That size, in inches, is the saddle size you should buy.

ETA: Buy a shaped fleece saddle pad that fits your saddle if you don't already have one!

Good luck out there!

Wow, thank you so much for the replies so far!!   I really appreciate all the help and the links and everything.
My color for western is usually turquoise, but I didn't think that would work for english, it's too bright...  So I thought that a nice navy jacket with a light blue shirt would be a nice option, that way I still get to wear blue (it's my favourite!)
There is a big used tack and equipment sale this weekend, and I will definitely see if I can find some nice leather boots for showing.  I think I will try and buy my saddle new, I've been saving up, and that way I can pick out a good brand and know for sure what kind of tree etc. it has, and it might be easier to get the matching bridle and everything with it. 
Oh and about the english pad, I did find a brand new one last weekend that was 45% off, it's white fleece and has the pockets on the back to put your number in.  I've seen a lot of those at the shows recently, and I think that I would prefer having the number there than through my jacket. 
Does the price that you pay for breeches really matter, is it something that judges will be able to tell whether you pay 10 dollars or 200?   Or  is it just personal preference/comfort, as long as they are that beige color?

As long as your breeches are clean and a tan/beige sort of color, you'll be fine. Its not Project Runway... just be turned out well for your classes. Judges arent there to try to spot the maker's label on your attire.

Def. check out that used equipment and tack sale. Make sure you measure your calf (while seated) around the fattest part, then measure the boot. THEN try them on if the sizes are close! You dont want to have to spend 30 minutes trying to get a pair of boots off. They should be snug, but not "oh my gosh, i can't feel my toes" tight.   I think that shaped pad you found with the pocket number should be ok. Just double check for any sort of rules that would say YOU have to wear the number or anything odd like that.

 If I'm not able to find anything there, would a pair of black leather half chaps do?  I will be going to some different tack shops this weekend and I could probably find some if I know what to get.  I have a pair of black leather shorter-style boots, I believe that they were intended for English but I usually just wear them with my full chaps western because you can't really see them then.  

westernshowhorse:

 If I'm not able to find anything there, would a pair of black leather half chaps do?  I will be going to some different tack shops this weekend and I could probably find some if I know what to get.  I have a pair of black leather shorter-style boots, I believe that they were intended for English but I usually just wear them with my full chaps western because you can't really see them then.  

 Okay, thanks for the info!  I will definitely keep these things in mind...  There is a spring sale at one of the tack shops I'm going to, hopefully they will have boots on sale too (If I don't find any at the used tack sale).

I'd rather people know I am wearing underwear than think I am not. who cares about lines. Mostly covered up with a jacket. Anyway, if no one mentioned I always take a long a roll of paper towels and toilet paper, and extra Tshirt and jacket. May sound sillly but sure come in handy! 

 

Country Supply has breeches for $19.99 in their current catalog. 

 Hi there, you may have alreadygotten all the replies you need, but I'll deal with your questions one at a time:

At hunter shows, jackets are rarely black. That's mostly for dressage shows. Navy is always a safe choice, with or without a small pinstripe..

Leather boots are definitely preferable. Field or dress are both fine. Measure your calf and the height from the bottom of your heel to under your knee when you are sitting, to determine optimal size, then shop ebay for your first pair. (Good new ones are very expensive...) A good choice in medium grade would be Ariat or Dublin, but many others are also fine. You can expect to pay about 50-75 used.

 Saddle choice is really a matter of personal preference, and what fits you and your horse comfortably. If you have a local tack shop that sells used, you can often check out several, take them to your barn, and try on your horse. Collegiate is definitely a better brand than griffith.  For size, measure the one you use at the barn, from the metal grommet-thing up by the pommel, to the middle of the cantle. A woman with a smallish butt woud likely be in a 16.5 or 17", and 17.5 to 18" is for a more heavyset woman. You rarely see saddles larger than this.

 

Breeches for local shows shouldn't set you back more than $50. Some these days have pleats for a looser fit, but once your'e actually in the saddle, the "lines" don't show anyway. It's like wearing a bathing suit. You feel self- conscious the first time, till you realize everyone, of every dimension, is wearing them, and just get over it! If it's not too hot, you can always wear pantyhose underneath instead of regular underwear, and have no lines at all. Darker colors show lines less, but showing you'd wear some version of beige.  Enjoy the shows!

It's funny, I just made two entries about show supplies on a horse blog.