2 questions: Dress Boots Vs. Field

[Liebe-ist-Krieg]

So I have this vague memory of once hearing/reading something about needed to have dress boots for dressage in the upper levels (above prelim maybe?).. is this true or does it only apply to CIC and CCI if at all? I have a hard time believing it would be compulsory, but even if its not is it considered bad taste to ride in field boots at that level? I'm still riding in my Ariat Heritage boots which are dying so I may be in the market for a new pair... which brings me to my 2nd question, what type of dress boots or custom dress boots do you recommend? Most boots look rather slopy on my because I have a long thing calf...
This may have already been discussed somewhere else, if so links would be appreciated!
thanks :)

[gchildean]

I was just looking at the rule book and this is what it states:

DRESSAGE TEST.
a. Horse Trials (Beginner Novice through Preliminary)— Boots—black, brown, field, jodhpur or a black or brown full grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots. Chaps and/orhalf-chaps are not allowed. BOD 1/14/07 Effective 12/1/07

b. Horse Trials (Intermediate and Advanced)—Two Day & Three Day Events.
Boots—preferably black dress or a black full grain leather leg piece and matching leather boot. Chaps and half-chaps are not allowed.

So it does look like no field boots above prelim. But it does say "perferably" so I don't think its manditory.

[SparklePlenty]

I thought they changed the rule and allowed half chaps/boots combo?

Rule Guru's?? :cool:

[gchildean]

I pulled these rules straight from the flash drive that USEF sent me this year. After the boots rule about half chaps it states "BOD 1/14/07 Effective 12/1/07". I am taking this to believe that the Board of Directors approved and put into effect the rule not allowing half chaps.

[gchildean]

It does state "leg piece with matching leather boots" can be used. Could this be what you are thinking of?

[Highflyer]

AFAIK you can ride in field boots at any level. My mom wore them for her CCI * last year, and so did lots of other people. Personally, I don't do dress boots, because I have a huge lump on my ankle from being stepped on by a horse, but it really is individual preference. The dressage dress boots are stiffer, which is supposed to improve your leg, but I don't think they're mandatory even for straight dressage shows.

[subk]

Field boots are not considered "formal attire." I'm sure if you wore them no one would say anything, but you would not be correctly dressed above Prelim. (Traditionally, you're not correctly dressed in a black coat and stock tie with field boots at any level, even if the rules begrudge that it is ok.) A CCI/CIC one star is funny, you may or may not wear a shadbelly and depending which event I would guess it's half and half. While I wouldn't mind too much being in field boots in a standard black (formal) coat, it would be a bit much in my opinion to wear field boots with a shadbelly.

But it is all personal preference these days as not so many people care about tradition.

As far as customs I've bought multiple pairs of Dehners over the years and wouldn't hesitate to buy that brand again.

[SparklePlenty]

It does state "leg piece with matching leather boots" can be used. Could this be what you are thinking of?

Yup.. that's it.. So what's the difference between that statement and half chaps and paddock boots? Or am i totally missing the point here??:cool:

[Sandy M]

I was just looking at the rule book and this is what it states:

DRESSAGE TEST.
a. Horse Trials (Beginner Novice through Preliminary)— Boots—black, brown, field, jodhpur or a black or brown full grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots. Chaps and/orhalf-chaps are not allowed. BOD 1/14/07 Effective 12/1/07

b. Horse Trials (Intermediate and Advanced)—Two Day & Three Day Events.
Boots—preferably black dress or a black full grain leather leg piece and matching leather boot. Chaps and half-chaps are not allowed.

So it does look like no field boots above prelim. But it does say "perferably" so I don't think its manditory.

I'd lean really HARD on the "preferably" if I were still eventing: I have an old foot injury, and getting into dress boots, even with a zipper, is close to impossible. I'd be swimming in any boot wide enough to accommodate my oddly shaped and enlarged arch (from a fracture/dislocation in 1974) ALL my boots are field boots, and I show dressage. So far I've shown through only 3rd level and no one has said anything about it. Now I'm back to Intro with a baby, so I guess it doesn't matter. LOL

[Peggy]

Not sure what the "straight" dressage rules say, but I showed thru 4th level in Vogel field boots. On a TB. No one minded.

I, too, am puzzled about the distinction b/w half chaps and "leg piece with matching leather boots." Is it full grain vs suede? No velcro? Is there a price cut off? Or is it a case of looking enuf like tall boots to pass?

[Liebe-ist-Krieg]

sigh... so i guess i am going to have to get dress boots... so which should i splurge on, the shadbelly or the dress boots? i can't really afford to get really good quality in both, but I definantly need both... I guess i can just run the rest of this seasons Intermediates in field boots, and get the shadbelly and dress boots for the 2*s next season?

[FoxChaser]

In regard to the "leg piece with matching leather boots," it is my understanding that things like these: http://www.bitofbritain.com/Tredstep_Pro_Gaiter_Half_Chaps_p/9545.htm are legal whereas these: http://www.bitofbritain.com/Lende_Full_Grain_Half_Chaps_p/9637.htm are not.

[gchildean]

I believe the top post to be correct. I believe in order to be legal they must be all leather and matching the boot portion.

[evans36]

Buy the real boots first then upgrade your shadbelly later... the boots will take more of a beating than the coat and will show it more if you go cheap. The judges aren't going to get close enough to your coat to notice the fabric as long as you go dark/conservative. They'll notice the fit though. Get a less-expensive shadbelly but have it tailored to you.