Fashion advice for a beginner

[SweetTooth]

Hi there - I need some advice regarding what someone new to dressage should wear. This is actually for my Mom. She and I have been involved in hunters and equitation for years. But over the last 5 years or so, she's been getting dressage instruction and going to a few small shows each summer. What's appropriate for a low-level show?? I think she's been wearing her old show coat and helmet, and her trainer is ok with that.

My question is...she's got a big birthday coming up, and I thought it might be fun to buy her some dressage-wear for the shows she goes to - like maybe a shadbelly. Because I'm not involved in the dressage scene, would that be overkill for a small dressage show? She intends to keep at it and move up to more competitive shows, so I know she'd get use out of some new clothes in the long-run. Would she look silly in beginner-level classes in more appropriate dressage-wear?

Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[Alterageous]

A shadbelly is only for FEI tests. Not to be worn at small shows, unless the show offers FEI tests and you're riding in one.

A four button dressage coat (check out the options on dressageextensions.com) will be much more appropriate and she'll get much more use out of it.

[Arathita]

A nice stock tie and pin would be appropriate for a gift, as well as white show breeches and a white show shirt.

[SweetTooth]

A shadbelly is only for FEI tests. Not to be worn at small shows, unless the show offers FEI tests and you're riding in one.




A four button dressage coat (check out the options on dressageextensions.com) will be much more appropriate and she'll get much more use out of it.


Oh, my gosh - ha, ha, ha - I am so glad I asked.
Ok, so a 4 button dressage coat, with a white shirt, stock tie, and white breeches. How about on the head? Can she wear her black helmet that she wore for horse shows?

[SweetTooth]

This has been so helpful.

Now my question is black or navy coat?

And are there brands that people like better than others?

And most of these shows will happen in warm weather. I think that means 100% wool would probably be too hot. Any suggestions for cooler materials? I know a polyester blend is probably cooler, but do you sacrifice quality?

[SweetTooth]

Some questions about boots:
Dress boots are the norm, right?
My Mom is very petite with a small (think size 5 1/2) foot.
Will customs give her the best fit, or are there brands of off-the-shelf boots that might fit her well? Like maybe ones with zippers???

[honeydoozy]

Coat - go with black. (blue is acceptable, but black is most common) I'd definitely look for a blend - not 100% wool. Even in the mildest climates, a wool coat in summertime is almost unbearable ;).

Boots - Dress boots are the norm, zippers are common - but this is really a purchase that she should do for herself. Fit is really really individual, and sometimes it takes a few tries to get the right fit/style. She should go to a reputable tack shop and get fitted professionally.

Helmet - yes she can use any black helmet


You also might want to think about getting her some nice gloves - white is standard, but if she's doing the lowest levels, black is fine too (and sometimes better, if her hands aren't particularly steady, if ya know what I mean! ;)).

Check out Dressage Extensions (www.dressageextensions.com (http://www.dressageextensions.com)) - their customer service is great, and they can answer a lot of the product questions for you.

[horsg]

What a nice daughter you are! I think your mom will be thrilled.

[LD1129]

Local schooling shows I wear...

full seat breeches
nice shirt
vest (winter) Polo shirt (summer)
I have been wearing my hunter field boots (dressage boots on order)
back huntcap or my GPA depending on my horses mood
belt

Recognized shows I wear...

white full seat breeches
Black Pikur coat
back gloves
white short sleeve shirt (riding sport brand I think)
stock tie
black hunt cap
Petrie 3000 dressage boots (on order)

This is just what my farm and myself wears. It varies :)

[Jazzy Lady]

Check out the Cavallo washable dressage coats. Pretty cool in the summer and they can be machine washed. Beautiful coat aswell.

A nice patterned stock tie (not pre-tied) and a silver pin (or one with some subtle bling) would be nice. Arista makes really lovely sporty type material shirts for under the jackets and stock. Short sleeve, long or sleeveless. They come in some lovely colours too, so she could do a lovely soft pastel stock instead of a white.

If she's uncomfortable in white breeches, try yellow or tan.

As for gloves, I like the Roekle (sp?) gloves. They are super thin and gripy.

[SweetTooth]

What a nice daughter you are! I think your mom will be thrilled.

Hey, Thanks! It's a BIG birthday, if you know what I mean.

It's the least I can do for all that she did for me when I was growing up, not the least of which was paying for all of my horse showing and sitting by the ring for days on end. And I think if I can rope my Dad and brother into the equation, we just might be able to get her properly outfitted.

I do think she will be psyched. I just wish I could do this all in secret, but I know she will have to be involved at the very least with the boot purchase.

Thanks for everybody's advice and input. It's so helpful - keep it coming!

[dressagedevon]

You can suprise her with it all, even the boots too. Just cut out a picture of the boots and afterwards you can take her to go get the right size, brand etc. That's what we did with the pony that the grandparents got the kids this year. Good luck and like everyone said you are an awsome daughter and I am sure your mother will be thrilled.

[Reiter]

I'm sooo jealous, wish I had a relationship like that with my mom! I'll second (or third?) the great daughter comment made above! :)
To the outfitting. Most everything will have to be tried on, but I still think you could keep it a secret by maybe getting her a coupon for a shopping spree! :D:

[babygreenqueen]

the best gift for MOM who used to do the H/J and new to dressage would be
boots. Ariat Maestro or Koenigs will really make her feel dressagey as well as help her new position. H/J dress boots dont really cut it. the fit and feel is quite unique.
give MOM some great boots, full seats for every day and she will look great!

[Ibex]

the best gift for MOM who used to do the H/J and new to dressage would be
boots. Ariat Maestro or Koenigs will really make her feel dressagey as well as help her new position. H/J dress boots dont really cut it. the fit and feel is quite unique.
give MOM some great boots, full seats for every day and she will look great!

If she's only riding training or 1st level, you may want to hold on the super stiff dressage boots like Petrie or Konig! I ride in dress boots (Ariat Medalists, precurser to the Maestro) and they do the job nicely. Lots of people wear their field boots at that level.

[honeydoozy]

Aaack! Yes! I forgot... get her some nice full-seats... grippier than knee patch breeches, they are ideal for dressage and she'll fit right in.

Again...they're another one of those things that are always best if one can try them on and *feel* the material, because they can really vary.

Question - do you have a really great tack shop nearby??

[Margaret Freeman]

Sweet Tooth --

After the jacket and helmet (which ideally are the same color, either both dark blue or both black) you want everything to be in the same light shade. In other words, if you decide on tan, buff or yellow breeches, then the stock tie, shirt, gloves and saddle pad should also be the same shade, and this can be hard to find. If one part of the attire, such as the saddle pad, is white and everything else is darker, such as buff, it makes the darker shade seem dirty. Off white is great (especially on a chestnut) if everything is the same off-white shade. Otherwise, get everything in white. Then, find a fun long skirt, scrubs or warmups that your mom can pull over her boots and white breeches to keep the white breeches clean when she's not on the horse.

Sounds like you're having fun with this.

[Ride2Fly]

How cool are you! My FAVORITE gift was a Pikeur Diana dressage coat. There are some fabulous dressage riders on this board. I, however, am not one of them. But this coat hid a multitude of sins at the sitting trot, somehow made me look like I was sitting upright even when I might not have been, and made me feel appropriate wherever I was showing. Plus even in the heat of our southern california summers it wasn't obscenely hot.

[citydog]

You are *such* a cool daughter. :)


And most of these shows will happen in warm weather. I think that means 100% wool would probably be too hot.

A very light wool will breathe better than any synthetic unless it's a "performance" synthetic (like CoolMax).

If only UnderArmour made show coats! :lol:

[SweetTooth]

Thanks for all the "cool daughter" comments. That certainly wasn't the intent of this thread, but I have to admit you all are making me feel sooooo good!

As for the UnderArmour comment. I think you are right on target. I e-mailed them quite a while ago, trying to encourage them to create and market riding gear. Since I live in MD (UA is based in Baltimore), I was aware of their products, and saw that they could make some amazing stuff for us equestrians. It wouldn't be a bad thing if they received some more e-mails.

[Trixie]

Not a dressage rider, but wanted to chime in as well: such a nice thing to do for your mom! :)

[swgarasu]

Sweet Tooth --

In other words, if you decide on tan, buff or yellow breeches, then the stock tie, shirt, gloves and saddle pad should also be the same shade, and this can be hard to find. If one part of the attire, such as the saddle pad, is white and everything else is darker, such as buff, it makes the darker shade seem dirty. Off white is great (especially on a chestnut) if everything is the same off-white shade. Otherwise, get everything in white..

I disagree. I think tan breeches with white shirt, pad, stock, gloves are fine. I've never even seen a tan stock tie.

To the OP:
Colored/patterned dressage shirts are also very popular now and quite pretty- they are usually covered by your coat and stock tie but I guess someone realized that and it's why they're available now.

Also, I think the dressage dress boots are a good idea. I thought I loved my hunter boots till I got used to some stiffer dressage boots.

[Frogs Leap]

This is such a great birthday present! One thing to keep in mind when buying a show shirt for warm weather: if the judge decides to waive the jacket rule, you can not wear a sleeveless shirt in the ring, and conservative colors only are allowed. The new fun colors of show shirts are great, but I always make sure I have at least on plain white one to wear just in case the jackets come off.

Happy Shopping!

Becky