How many white pads do you bring to a show?

[StrawberryFrosted]

Ok, I just realized I need more white show pads!

How many pads does everyone bring to their shows? If you are showing for 3 days, do you bring 3 or just two? I have bad nightmares of my red gatorade splashed all over my white pad! :eek:

Also, I need some good back up pads (is white with black piping acceptable?)
My horse has high withers, so I need contoured ones.

I don't want to spend too much since anything can happen to a white pad at a show, but want it to look nice.

Thanks in advance!

[Foxhound]

I bring one for each day. I buy all my pads at www.seamsright.com . They fit well, never shrink, and never wear out. They are well worth the cost.

[SillyHorse]

I take one for each day, plus one extra.

[eponacelt]

Dressage Extensions has some good quality, relatively inexpensive pads that I like a lot, that I think they call their "Monarch" pad. THey list it as a schooling pad, but it fits my saddle well (very straight flap which looks funny with a lot of other pads that have a orward cut) and since I have several of these pads for both schooling and show, I can tell you that they hold up very well for a $30 pad. My black one is a little faded, and some of the piping eventually shows some wear, but I've also had these pads for at least three years and literally use them almost every day. They were great on my sharkfin withered TB too.

[ctanner]

When I groomed for an FEI rider,one for each class,plus pads for hacking.
This included the horses doing 1st level.

[Wayside]

I take one for each day, plus one extra.

Same here.

[pintopiaffe]

One. I use fitted sheepskin. I guess I throw the extra pad in (it's an AP vs. the dressage) but that's just for emergencies.

If the horse is clean and the tack is clean... the only reason I'd need extras is deep summer/sweat and classes spread so far apart I'd be untacking in between?

I guess this is just one of those examples of things in a very different world than I live in. :uhoh:

[CDNJumperGirl]

Our National/CDI horses all have one a day, plus a pad for hacking. What it actually works out to is something like this:
Day 1:
Class 1, pad 1
Class 2, pad 2

Day 2:
Class 3, pad 1
Class 4, pad 2

Day 3:
Class 5, pad 3
Class 6, pad 4

etc.

That way they always get a dry pad put on their back, even when they are showing 2 classes a day.

[tempichange]

I have one for each class, and I scotch guard everything. I also have pads for strictly hacking.

[StrawberryFrosted]

Tempichange,
How do you scotchguard your pads? I've never used the stuff for anything in my house, so I'm pretty much clueless on how to use it for a white pad. Does it darken the white at all?

[coloredhorse]

I guess this is just one of those examples of things in a very different world than I live in. :uhoh:

You must be in my world, pp. I own exactly two presentable-in-public white pads, so that's what I take to shows.

Of greater concern than a smudge of dust on a saddle pad is me coming off my horse and landing in a mud puddle, so I do make sure to have a complete change of clothes, including underwear, etc., "just in case." You don't want to hear about the day I learned that lesson. Not pretty. Not pretty at all.

Tempichange, I'm also interested in hearing about how Scotchgard does with white saddle pads!

[AMDressage]

Depending on how many days/classes I have. Typical weekend show with 2 classes/day, 6.

Friday: 1 for schooling

Saturday: Class 1, pad 1
Saturday: Class 2, pad 2

Sunday: Class 1, pad 3
Sunday: Class 2, pad 4

And one extra cause you just NEVER know. I also carry 1 black one incase I have to do a rain-ride.

[kahjul]

Wow! I am shocked at this! I have 1, therefore I take 1 to shows. I don't drink red gatorage. My son taught us all that lesson at football practice when he spilled it down the front of my white tanktop. I only buy the clear gatorade! Back to pads, my horse doesn't need much warm-up, she's best with about 20 mins walking the place and 20 mins of work, so my pad doesn't get real sweaty. I have even done 3 shows before I washed it. Yes, it was dirty where the saddle went, but everywhere else it was clean!

[tempichange]

Tempichange,
How do you scotchguard your pads? I've never used the stuff for anything in my house, so I'm pretty much clueless on how to use it for a white pad. Does it darken the white at all?

I've never had them darken since it's a clear coat product.

For a brand spanking new pad I usually start out by pre washing (get the shrinking out of the way) and while they are drying I essentially hose both sides down with scotch guard (from the aerosol can, 1.99 purchase, wally world). Hang dry.

If you can't find the aerosol can, or feel environmentally guilty (as I do most of the time), you can use an old spray bottle and have the semi-same effect. Let dry, it makes them last a bit longer and stay that much cleaner. I also do this with my breeches.

Make sure you do it in open space or you will get one nasty buzz. After that re-apply every third or fourth wash, and hang dry. Also remember, Oxyclean is your friend, and for the piping that runs, color safe bleach (don't mix with Oxyclean).

Also-- I carry with me a bleach and/or tide pen for last minute touch ups. Those little pens have got me out of a few stain-binds.

[Roan]

It IS kosher to use a black dressage pad, is it not? I cannot stand seeing a white horse in a white pad. Just looks bad.

Eileen

[neVar]

oy i own a tack store and only use one pad at a show (2-3 days).... though i have been known to forget it at home and show up with just my hot pink pad colour me embarrased i had to run to a nother shop and pick one up!