Jumper apparel???

[springdaisy]

Hi,

I normally do eventing. However, I'm riding a Tennessee Walking Horse mare with an amazing jumping ability. Well, eventing is out, since she oftentimes paces instead of trots. (On the flat anyways.) So, I've decided to do a couple of low level (2'6", 3'. We school 3'6", 4') jumper classes at a local hunter show. It is "no-frills", but their definition of no-frills is frillier than most. ;) What I'm wondering is what to wear. Well, any helpful info on jumpers in general would be wonderful, but that isn't the point of this post. I don't have a trainer I can ask. How dressy is jumpers? I am especially confused about hair. I have really thick hair that comes to my shoulders. For dressage, I just put it in a hairnet, and then put my helmet on. Nothin else at all. I have a show coat, a show shirt, velvet helmet cover, tall boots, show breeches...What of this will I need to wear? And do I need to braid? Thanks in advance, sorry for the rambling nature of this post!

[IsolaBella09]

If you are doing a schooling show, you don't have to go very dressy. My last show I wore a cream cashmere sweater over my white show shirt with black gloves. You could even go with a polo and jacket at a schooling show. If you are doing a 'A' show, I would wear a jacket or a nice sweater/polo if you are doing the low jumpers. Jackets are required for the classics. For hair, I do hunter hair and put it up in my helmet. I have seen people leave their hair in a ponytail, but I think it looks messy, and I'm always a fan of proper turnout. You don't need to braid. If you do a classic or the big jumpers, it looks nice if you braid, but it is not required.

[joiedevie99]

Is this a rated show or a local show? I'm going to assume local. You should wear your show breeches (tan or khaki) with a belt and polished tall boots. On top, I would wear your show shirt with a sweater over it. Bring your show jacket in case everyone else has them on, but chances are no one will. Some may even be in those puffy down coats.

As for your hair, it should be in a hairnet and up underneath your helmet. If doing that makes your helmet not fit, it should be braided as neatly as possible and tucked down so it doesn't fly around.

You do not need to braid, just make sure your horse is cleaned as much as the temperature allows.

[springdaisy]

Thanks! :D What is hunter hair? Sorry if that is an obvious "duh" question, but I've only been in eventing circles. And is it possible with shortish hair?

[springdaisy]

It is local. My helmet is adjustable (dial on the back), so that should work! Is that hunter hair? Just hairnet then flip it up? Thank you so much!

[Sebastian]

It is local. My helmet is adjustable (dial on the back), so that should work! Is that hunter hair? Just hairnet then flip it up? Thank you so much!

Yup, you got it.

Just be neat and clean. Polo shirt, beige breeches and tall boots will suffice (even on the A-Circuit). Or, you can "dress" and wear your huntcoat if you so choose. Either is appropriate, and in Jumpers, no one is judging you.

Have fun!!!
Seb :)

[msrobin]

Very rarely did I have to keep my jacket on during classes. Especially if it was very hot. Of course in the bigger classes a the A shows a jacket is worn but, if the weather is very hot it may be excused.
I wear light colored breeches like cream or white, black polished field boots,black gloves,black velvet helmet similar to the GPA and a white show shirt either short or long sleeved depending on the weather.


Regarding hair, I have long hair and I braid it from the neck down then tuck it in under my helmet so no hair is showing, I usually use a bobby pin or something like that to hold it under the helmet.

Good luck I would like to see photos of your TWH jumping I bet she is a beauty.

[springdaisy]

Thanks everyone so much! msrobin, as soon as I figure out how to post some pictures, and I find some I like ;) I'll have em up! :D

[eponacowgirl]

Are you talking about Brownland, by chance? If so, you'll have some TWH competition- theres a few that do the jumpers there. Most of us eventer cross-overs that jump there wear polos and breeches. The jumper ring isn't too fancy, over there.

[IsolaBella09]

Thanks! :D What is hunter hair? Sorry if that is an obvious "duh" question, but I've only been in eventing circles. And is it possible with shortish hair?

Hunter hair is the "art" of covering one's head with their hair and hairnet, tying it into a low pony tail, flipping the ponytail over, securing with another hairnet, and then putting the helmet on. It is definitely possible with short hair. There is an excellent thread in the Reference section complete with pictures.

[huntereq7]

I would put your hair up in your helmet (with a hairnet), wear polished tall boots with tan breeches, and if it is cold I would wear a nice sweater over your (tucked in) show shirt. If it is warm, I would wear a polo, tucked in of course. Oh don't forget a belt- you can never go wrong with black leather! I would go with a clean white saddle pad as well. Not terribly formal, but nicely turned out at the same time!

[springdaisy]

IsolaBella09, thanks! I'll make sure to look it up! And yup, Brownland! How do the TWH do? That's great to hear! :) Do you ride one? Hopefully I'll make it! ;)

[eponacowgirl]

SD- I tried to PM you back and got this message:
"springdaisy has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. Therefore you may not send your message to him/her."

Feel free to email me with your questions-lromo2j at gmail.com

[springdaisy]

Ok, thanks! :D Yeah, I haven't figured out how to do all that...I'll email you tomorrow if that's ok, or figure out how to fix my PM. Thanks!

[luvs2ridewbs]

Does your TWH sport a long mane? I would make sure the horse looks the part too: clipped up, clean, mane neatly pulled (although some jumpers sport a slightly longer blunt cut look.) To keep the mane neat, spray it with a little coat conditioner or water.

[Trixie]

Not terribly dressy, unless you are entering a classic, which at a schooling show, I imagine you are not. I absolutely would not wear white breeches and second the suggestion of a clean pair of tan/khaki breeches and a collared shirt, either a polo or otherwise collared button down with a sweater over it. A jacket is fine if it's cold.

The USEF jumper rules are as follows:


Attire. Management, at its discretion, may allow competitors to compete without riding coats. If a riding coat is not worn, riders must wear a shirt with a collar or a choker, neatly tucked into riding breeches. A windbreaker jacket or raincoat may be worn if conditions require. In all cases, riders must appear neatly attired to appear before the public or be subject to penalty of elimination by the judges.

7. Formal Attire. Black, blue, green, grey, scarlet or similar coats are permitted; white or fawn breeches; a white tie, choker or hunting stock, and a white or lightly colored shirt must be worn. Shirts must have a white collar and white cuffs. BOD 1/13/08 Effective 12/1/08 Members of the Armed Services or the police may wear the service dress uniform with protective
headgear. (See General Rules, GR801.2)

[n2dressage]

I'm glad someone posted this!! I'm going to the No Frills show at Brownland, too and it will be my first jumper show. I was wondering what I was supposed to wear! So if its cold, which I expect it will be, a sweater over a show shirt? What kinds of colors? Are beige or white breeches better? Thanks! Good to know I don't *have* to braid!

[Trixie]

If you are planning to wear a sweater, and otherwise not be formally attired for a classic, white breeches would be inappropriate.

You can pretty much wear whatever colors you'd like that compliment your horse.

[joiedevie99]

Definitely beige or khaki breeches. White or buff breeches are considered formal in jumpers, and are best reserved for classics and prixs only.

[springdaisy]

Thanks everyone! I'm planning on pulling her mane.

[eponacowgirl]

Hey guys, as far as Browland goes- make sure you're in neat schooling attire, and if you get more dressed up, good! I've shown there in half chaps before, but always a polo. My horses have been clean, not clean... depends on who I'm with. If I'm there representing a trainer, I look the part. If I'm there because someone called to tell me they had an open spot on the trailer and they were leaving now, I look that part, too. Lots of eventer-types show in the jumper ring just to get their horses out, and they don't typically get TOO upset about looking nice.

The HUNTERS at the no-frills show go from everything to "all-out" in braids and coats, to trainers in jeans and halfchaps running a green horse around.

Everything always runs late- even the jumper ring. We arrived at 1:00 last time and were the first ones to jump because we were the only ones warmed up.

Expect the courses to be totally illogical, there will be combinations and most of the jumps are spreads. Don't expect to get there, ride and leave. It takes a lot of time to get through the 2'6" courses and you have to wait for the whole first class to ride so you can jump the second course.

Its great to have it locally to get out and show!

Let me know if you need more info!

[Trixie]

Don't expect to get there, ride and leave.

Best advice yet. Pack food and plan on making a day of it. :winkgrin:

[n2dressage]

So... how's warm up? My horse has a warm up issue. Such that if horses get near him, especially galloping and jumping horses, he has a total melt down and tries his airs above ground to dart out of warm up! We have been successful at the last dressage show we went to in warm up (now schooling Third level) but haven't been out jumping in a while b/c I'm a big chicken and I could only handle one thing at a time. I'm fully prepared to just skip warm up if its even somewhat crowded. I plan on doing 2'6" jumpers and 3' if that goes well. My horse is a 16.3 8yo TBg. I feel if he can't do 2'6" w/o a warm up then he perhaps he shouldn't be jumping! So if anyone sees a big chestnut leaping around the jumper warm up with his ammy owner trying to keep her composure, that's us!!!

[eponacowgirl]

Warm up... warm up... ummm....

Well....

My mare also has melt downs in warm up. She did better warming up at brownland in the BIG ring (NOT the jumper warm up) than she does at events. By the time jumpers start, the biggest hunter classes will be over, so it'll just be the more experienced riders/horses in warmup. I was able to safely school my mare in the BIG ring (again, not the jumper warmup). It will just depend on how many people are there- could be totally empty, depending on the weather, but I think you might be okay. Put a red ribbon in- it kept people WELL away from my mare.

[fordtraktor]

IsolaBella -- you are a brave woman to take a cream cashmere sweater within 100 yards of a horse! :lol:

[springdaisy]

"My" mare doesn't kick, but she can be very dominant (This is MY turf!) not to the point of kicking, but she does do the whole grumpy face that gets horses away QUICK. Would a red ribbon be a good idea? I haven't ridden her with very many horses before, we are going to try to get lots of that kind of experience in first! Does a red ribbon count against you for anything? Or is it a just a good thing to have for the evil mares? :winkgrin:

[n2dressage]

Think I could also wear a shirt that says "WARNING: POTENTIAL MELTDOWN IN PROGRESS!" :D He's getting to be fine as long as people don't run up on us. We were at a dressage show at the Coliseum this past summer and a friesan just completely ran up his a$$. I thought he was going to lose his mind; we almost creamed 2 FEI horses (oops!). So I guess I'll warm up wherever they let me that there aren't many horses even though we do need to work through his issues... I just prefer keeping my sanity ;)

[eponacowgirl]

I always use a red ribbon for potential meltdowns or greenies. My mare is a confirmed kicker and I would much rather give some warning than try to stay on top of it myself. That way, if someone DOES run up your butt, they won't say "You REALLY should have had a red ribbon on your horse."

SD- if your mare is usually good under saddle and doesn't lunge at others with her teeth bared, you're probably okay.

n2D, a red ribbon probably wouldn't hurt. :)

[Trixie]

I avoid warm ups and schooling rings like the plague. There's always a few completely obnoxious people that have no concept of how to ride around others or keep their space, much less stay composed, and they make poor decisions even with a red ribbon. I'd rather school LESS than put up with that.

[n2dressage]

I'll try the red ribbon thing and see if it works. I find myself most of my warm up trying to completely avoid people only to have a couple of people seem to follow me no matter where I go. I've also seemed to notice that when my horse does seem to start having a meltdown there are always those people that get closer and closer to the freaking out horse (people on the ground have noticed it too, so no, it's not just claustrophobia b/c he's having a meltdown). Hopefully one day he'll be completely over horses getting near him in warm up...

[jumper19]

Springdaisy, I you are so enthusiastic in ever post it makes me laugh. :lol:
Are you not planning on bringing your palomino QH to Brownland?

[jumper19]

Eponacowgirl, quick question:
I've been to Brownland two or three times already, but just in the Hunter ring. With the horse I'm riding now, that wouldn't be the best idea (I don't think the judges would be very pleased with our, uh, work ethic. :lol:) So jumpers it is. :winkgrin:
Anyway, I've never dont jumpers before, and am wondering it at the schooling shows people use the white saddle cut pads or if colors are okay in the square ones?
Also, I have think, long hair, and I'm sure it won't fit in my helmet. What to do? And if you have any advice on this front, could it work at non-schooling shows-say "B" level- as well?

[springdaisy]

jumper19, probably not. Rojas and schooling for Pony. This is only because I don't really have anywhere else to show her. And if I took my pony, there would be horse fees, trailer fees, trainer fees...and Brownland is expensive enough already! ;) And I'm glad I make you laugh. :winkgrin:

[n2dressage]

How much, approximately, will it cost at Brownland for me to do 2 jumper classes? I'm just driving up for the day and just going to stay until I'm done. I don't know what kind of admin fees etc etc h/j shows charge.

[eponacowgirl]

n2d- I spent $30 on two classes and $35 grounds fees last time. Yeah. Suck. Their showbill is online, you can see all the fees there.

jumper- whatever you want to do is fine. I don't HAVE a white pad, let alone a fitted one, so I jump in whatever pad is cleanest- navy, pink, maroon... doesn't matter. I have short hair, so I just plop my helmet on, but you'll be fine with whatever. They're not judging you in the jumper ring- we just have a grand old time laughing and cutting up and making friend back there. I'd just wear it on a ponytail this time- or whatever you do- and then pay attention to how people have it put up. Really, really, REALLY though- the jumper ring is NOT that big of a deal for anyone.

[n2dressage]

Actually, thats not that bad considering horse trials and dressage shows are around 300 by the time you pay for everything included in the entry!

[eponacowgirl]

Thats a good way to look at it! I usually go "ug... $30 to ride in two classes in fine, but $65 is too much!" You're so much more positive than I am.

[springdaisy]

eponacowgirl, I can't find their showbill, would you mind posting a link? Sorry, I'm probably just blind. Or really tired, or a combo of both...but you get the idea. ;)

[GryffinLuvr4Evr]

schooling shows: a nice sweater (with a polo underneath too can look nice) or a polo and if it's cold wear like a barn jacket such as a jacket with your barn's name on the back of it

'A' shows: show jacket and show shirt.

both kinds of shows i would put your hair in a hairnet. definitely wear breeches and tall boots. even though its jumpers, whether its a schooling or rated show, i would do whatever you can to look your best. even though you dont have to impress the judge, you should try to look your best. make sure your tack and saddle pads are clean. as well as any protective boot gear. i would use a white saddle pad also. and make sure, most importantly, you and your horse are clean!

[eponacowgirl]

http://brownlandfarm.com/entryforms.htm

These are from last year, but the forms never change. Entry on the left, class list on the right.

[takethestage]

I agree with most of the posters. I tend to do a nice sweater with a coordinated polo underneath it plus a clean, warm jacket (I live up north so it's usually frigid) for schooling shows in cold weather. When it's warm I'll wear a polo. Anything rated, even "C", I wear a jacket with a show shirt + collar in the winter. I always attempt my jacket in the summer, but if coats are waived, I wear a long sleeved shirt with CoolMax. They aren't any hotter than short-sleeves, and I think they look more polished. ALWAYS tall boots, breeches, and a belt. Tuck your shirt in no matter what! I have medium length hair, but I always use a hairnet out of habit.
The night before any show, I always clean my tack, even if it's just a quick wipe down. Don't forget the bit! By doing it right before the show, I can inspect the tack so I don't have to worry about any last minute breaks! I like to have my saddle pad compliment whatever I'm wearing, and while I don't always use white, I stick to conservative, solid colors (different colored piping is fine in my book). I think it looks sloppy to use a baby pad with a half pad though, especially at a rated show. JMO. .. I think that covers everything!

[je.suis]

less is more

[jumper19]

Okay so let me paint a little picture to make sure I'm picking up on everything (I am going to dumb it down to be sure of myself:) ) for me going to a "B" rated show:
I have my beautiful black tobiano shining, along with all of her clean tack and my clean boots. My helmet. My tan full seat (are full seats okay?). Black gloves. Saddle pad (unfortunately by large collection of saddle pads does not include a white square cut one, so to the tack store I go...) clean. Crisp polo (conservatively colored? so like navy, hunter green, what else?).
Good?

[eventchic33]

The Jumper show I go to up here it seems that the brighter colored polo the better. I have seen neon green, hot pink etc. All with matching pads and bell boots and some with matching splint boots.

My pet peeve is those who take the time to match everything and yet still show up with fuzzy sloppy horses. Trim up the whiskers, pasterns, the long guard hairs etc. Look neat and presentable.

[jumper19]

Oh thank God.
I am such a bright colored person, wearing one of the tamer colors was not something I was looking forward too.
Bright teal it is!! :lol: