dubarrys, jeans, etc in the show ring

[showing22]

I was at equifest and could not believe the amount of people wearing dubarrys, ariats etc for in hand classes, and a few people wearing jeans. One girl inparticular went a step further than that and was wearing a wax jacket, jeggings and dubarrys, it looked awful and not smart at all. Don't get me wrong i love all these leather and suede leisure boots that are about, but deffinately not for the show ring it's just a bit lazy really.

[kayjayem]

I think the Dubarry's or similar are fine if the weather conditions are bad but even then they should be worn with Tweed jacket, shirt, tie, hat and suitable trousers, not jeans!

[Milliesmum]

I think a smart appearance shows respect for yourself, your horse, and the judge on the day. Trouble is respect is an old fashioned notion that is really not widely taught or encouraged any more. Sad, I think.

[gtr121]

Seems Respect has joined Commin Sense then.

[diane]

I agree jeans are a definite nono but given the appalling ground conditions at the likes of Royal Welsh main ring this year (again) I saw a few in protective wet wear over- trousers and wellingtons, topped off very nicely with a smart shirt and tie ;D
I do like to see impeccable and correct turnout but the Great British Weather often tampers with it!

[amumwithapony]

I think a smart turnout is very, very important. Like someone else has said its about respect. We may not agree with the judges decision on the day, we may not like the placings or something else goes wrong but you should always try and look smart.

My daughter has just started showing inhand with her pony this year. She has brown boots, even though her black yard one are more comfortable, shirt, tie and matching waistcoat along with her hat. The only thing she doesn't like wearing is her gloves and I only insist on those for handler classes. She is very particular about her appearance at shows, likes to have her ribbons in even though they fall out a lot, even double tied, and always polishes her own boots the night before. She is also careful not to get dirty at shows, even declines ice creams if she still has a class to do in case it drips on her. She also helps get her bridle ready and helps (more than I would like!!!) to bath her pony.

This is a piccy of her below. No real need to post it but any excuse when you are a proud mummy!

[diane]

Aww bless her........she looks so smart

[madicarus]

i have to agree these boots are becoming more popular in showing. they are essentially for working not showing and to me are not smart enough to show in.

[garnet]

amwap. no wonder you are a proud mummy, i would be too.

[armada]

People will get slack, and remain so until they are told what they are wearing is not acceptable.
I dont wear anything than my normal ring attire EVEN when its chucking it down, I put up with it, look smart, get back to the lorry or trailer and change, I always have 2 sets of trousers/britches and socks packed in case.
The one and only time I went into the ring dressed in a pair of boots I would not normally wear, they were the loveson type moulded sole and upper with laces in, we call them 'ducky boots', cant remember the name, but I got to Malvern and discovered to my horror, I'd left my usual paddock boots behind. I had no choice, but actually in the mud and wet that year, was able to run confidently, as a rule though I would not dream of it.
I suppose it comes from hunting with a pack, where the Field Master had to ask the Master if the field were able to wear riding macks (nothing else mind) in atrocious weather. If the Master said no ( and being a cantankerous old goat he often did), that was it, you did'nt go out or you put up with it!
As a child I hated my gloves also, the horrid bulky string ones in those days, but was never given an option - mother and pony club insisted, now I automatically have my gloves in my cap and on they go, whatever.

[tinpandyl]

I dont see anything wrong with wearing country boots and smart fitting jeans/cords for showing inhand! I do with shirt, tie, gloves, flat cap and waistcoat sometimes i wear hikeing boots some times trainers! I carnt run properley in long riding boots and am certain not runing around in wet/muddy grounds in them! At the end of the day the judge is judgeing my pony not my footware and my overall turnout looks great!!

[boots & saddles]

i saw a judge this week in black mini skirt and bare legs (looked like sausages of the uncooked variety ) dublin river boots and bursting out of a jacket and her steward mate was dressed the same only she was slimmer and skirt even shorter. yuk yuk , i think you should be smart when judging ,can understand when wet you may need to wear a wax coat or similar as getting wet all day is not good but please cover up thoughs kebab legs.

[bundle]

My daughter spoke at a pony club camp recently and the DC was telling me that they had complaints because they insisted on proper dress for riding. Another PC had allowed the young riders to dress down but she was against it. I couldn't have agreed more -
Keep warm and dry by all means but riding in jeans, welly boots with your hair all over the place - oh please!

[poniesrus]

Jean's, dubarry/ariat type boots and the naf old fleece covered in crap from being laid in the lorry ..... that's the way to win championships it appears !

The excuse is always that they took x amount of horses and they all got through to the champs ..... then perhaps one should consider that scenario and make sure that they have adequate number of appropriately clothed handlers, as seeing someone dressed like that taking championships questions the judges reasons and integrity, is an insult to fellow competitors who are well dressed and makes a mockery of the whole thing IMO.

[mickysgirl]

I always wear black trousers, cream shirt with a smart blue tie, a tweed jacket and proper show hat. I wear trainers, but they are black leather and you'd know they were trainers! But they're brilliant for running in, especially with the Welshies!
I hate seeing people in jeans, it looks awful and very scruffy. I also hate to see people with their shirt untucked, or when people have waistcoats on with low cut trousers so their shirt is hanging out between their trousers and waistcoat!

[network]

Sept 9, 2010 9:34:48 GMT tinpandyl said:

I dont see anything wrong with wearing country boots and smart fitting jeans/cords for showing inhand! I do with shirt, tie, gloves, flat cap and waistcoat sometimes i wear hikeing boots some times trainers! I carnt run properley in long riding boots and am certain not runing around in wet/muddy grounds in them! At the end of the day the judge is judgeing my pony not my footware and my overall turnout looks great!!

Not the case for showing veterans inhand, you are also judged on your turnout

[showing22]

well for me personally, if you can take the time and effort to turn your horse out smartly then why not turn yourself out smartly too. Otherwise I think it just ruins the overall picture. I mean you wouldn't wear jeans and dubarrys for a ridden class would you, so why do it for an in hand class?? It doesn't matter what the weather is, I always wear jodhpur boots of inhand, even if its like a bog. You don't see the men running around in dubarrys or wellies just because its raining. But then again thats just one persons opinion.

[stephjw1]

I have worn wellies with my showing gear trousers hacking jacet shirt and tie and hat only if its muddy but I do make sure they are clean.

[kates]

i don't care about the weather, I always try my best to look smart, no point spending hours on your pony for you to look like a dogs dinner.

Remember one show, mud was up to my knees...I still went in in my white trouser...my mothers face was a picture!

[arabellaphoenix]

I think the handler's turnout is very important as it makes the whole picture look much more appealing. As people have already said you spend all that time making the ponies look immaculate so complete the picture! I always wear beige slacks, hacking jacket, shirt, tie, gloves and hat and wear my smart leather short paddock boots (as they have more grip for running). I'm always looking at ways to improve my turnout as well, so I complement my pony.

[iluvmyponies]

When I am showing in-hand I wear my normal riding stuff. ALWAYS. When I do Handler classes, there is pretty much always someone in jeans, trainers, no hat ect. My friend wears her Dubarrys with her yellow joddies, jacket ect & flat cap. I tink it looks very smart but deffo prefer riding boots

[tabbyx]

i wear my dubarrys with the rest of my show stuff. my jodphur boots have no grip left on them at all so they tend to slip quite a bit, i can trot up fine in the them but prefer to do in hand in something more substantial, i have pics and it looks very smart.

[iluvmyponies]

My friend with her shettie wearing Dubarrys...






Me wearing joddy boots.....

[titch]

I wear my ariats under trousers as they are nice to run in. If i am riding about the same time i wear my riding attire but just pop on my ariats instead of riding boots which i cannot run in. I have won quite alot at county level inhand and it hasn't stopped me.

[kilnstown]

The worst class I was in was at a major county show in the m & m in hand class a girl came into the ring with a mare and foal she was leading the mare and she was dressed in a cropped top fat belly hanging out with cut off jeans and trainers, she was pulled in first and won the class I was placed second and a very good new forest was in third, both myself and newforest handler were immaculately dressed, I have never been so disgusted at a judge in all my time showing, the girl didnt even have the figure to pull the outfit off out the ring never mind in it. It is the only time I have ever walked out of a class, bad manners on my part I know, I didnt even take my next pony in, I thought bugger it, and went for an ice cream instead.

[fleurymare]

The lady showing the sheti looks lovely untill you reach the boots which I feel take the shine from her outfit but Iam a traditionalist and dont think they are smart enough. Luvmyponies you look lovely and very smart.
I went to the north western champ show and one of the champs was wearing cream jeans and spanish riding boots and though she looked clean and tidy, compared to the other competitors she looked as if she hadn't even made an effort