Spin-off on half-chaps..showing in them?

[Lori T]

So as a newbie to half chaps..I just bought my first pair (always ride in my tall boots or full chaps)..I bought the Ariat Cameo...do people really show in them? I ask because I am going to a schooling HT at Rocking Horse next week. I don't have my ride times but my legs swell by the afternoon and the thought of leaving my Vogels on all day long is not a thought I am too happy about! I would definitely ride in my boots for dressage but was wondering if I had the choice, would I be able to ride in my half chaps? What is the protocol regarding showing and half chaps? Remember, this is a schooling show.

[Lamma70]

I believe that dressage riders can now show in half chaps through second level with USDF (have to be smooth leather black chaps), so don't see why it couldn't be done in eventing. Although, not sure if the eventing association is using the same guidelines.

[Brown Horse]

In the prize list, it didn't have any info on the "dress code"? For our schooling shows it usually says what they would prefer you to wear...ie, tidy casual attire or proper show attire. If it says casual attire (and doesn't say something like "no half chaps", obviously) then that usually means you can wear half chaps provided they are CLEAN, fit well, and your paddock boots are clean and polished. So if your tall boots bother you that much then it would probably be just fine to go in paddock boots and half chaps :)

[FootPerfect]

It is legal to use smooth leather half chaps in both eventing and dressage, up to 2nd level. They have to look like regular tall boots. No suede.

[ValleyMiss]

As long as they don't specifically say no half chaps, go ahead and wear them. I rode in my half chaps at a schooling show last summer. Used them in all three phases, no one said anything about it.

[LSM1212]

I, too, rode at 2 schooling shows last year in my 1/2 chaps. And mine were suede! LOL I can't find tall boots that fit me and I can't afford custom so I ride in paddocks/half chaps. Now I did contact the show secretary beforehand to make sure it was okay at one of the shows. The other I knew all casual attire was fine.

I only do un-rated schooling 'one day' shows anyways (Eventing and Hunter). Can't afford the rated stuff. And 1/2 chaps have always been acceptable.

I did just get a pair of all leather ones for Christmas. These will be my new show 1/2 chaps and will stick with my suede ones for at home. :D

To be honest... I hate tall boots. I know all about "tradition" but I just don't see the difference between tall boots and the nice paddock/half chap combos. I think they should be acceptable. Alot of the new "combos" look like tall boots unless you are standing right next to the person anyways!

ETA: I got into a pretty heated discussion in the H/J forum last year (or maybe the year before) about this. Everyone kept saying... you have to wear tall boots. Tradition. Well, times have changed. Looked at the helmets, show coats, etc. they are wearing now. Now that isn't traditional. :D

[Lori T]

Thanks for the advice. I will ride dressage in my tall boots and take my half chaps just in case for xc or stadium! If it is warm, I know my legs will be swelling! The half chaps are black smooth leather so will match just fine!

[bccalhoun]

Lori I ride in my half chaps & paddock boots all the time at the schooling show at RH & will be Sat even in dressage. they are the smooth chaps no problems. & use them for SJ & XC

[Alterageous]

I, too, rode at 2 schooling shows last year in my 1/2 chaps. And mine were suede! LOL I can't find tall boots that fit me and I can't afford custom so I ride in paddocks/half chaps. Now I did contact the show secretary beforehand to make sure it was okay at one of the shows. The other I knew all casual attire was fine.

I only do un-rated schooling 'one day' shows anyways (Eventing and Hunter). Can't afford the rated stuff. And 1/2 chaps have always been acceptable.

I did just get a pair of all leather ones for Christmas. These will be my new show 1/2 chaps and will stick with my suede ones for at home. :D

To be honest... I hate tall boots. I know all about "tradition" but I just don't see the difference between tall boots and the nice paddock/half chap combos. I think they should be acceptable. Alot of the new "combos" look like tall boots unless you are standing right next to the person anyways!

ETA: I got into a pretty heated discussion in the H/J forum last year (or maybe the year before) about this. Everyone kept saying... you have to wear tall boots. Tradition. Well, times have changed. Looked at the helmets, show coats, etc. they are wearing now. Now that isn't traditional. :D

Well, it's possible they just didn't know the actual reason for it, which is that a tall boot is worn first and foremost to protect the leg while out hunting, but secondarily because in the days before boots were made of infant calfskin, the stiffness of a boot provided a uniformity in the pressure of the leg aid and thus, allowed you to have a more educated leg because you could get more done with less pressure. The softness and break in half chaps at the ankle doesn't accomplish this in any way.

I don't mind seeing half chaps, but half chaps that zip up the outside of the leg I find to be distracting...the kind that zip up the back, and closely resemble a tall boot, I don't mind at all. I believe the rules actually state that the half chap must be of black smooth leather and of the gaiter type that resembles a tall boot--not just any chaps are legal.

Of course depends on how closely a show follows the rules, but half chaps are not all legal.

[tangledweb]

... in the days before boots were made of infant calfskin, the stiffness of a boot provided a uniformity in the pressure of the leg aid and thus, allowed you to have a more educated leg because you could get more done with less pressure. The softness and break in half chaps at the ankle doesn't accomplish this in any way. ...

If you don't like your half chaps soft, Petrie's might suit you. Of course they can't have the structural integrity of a stiff boot, but they are stiffer than a soft boot.

[Lori T]

Lori I ride in my half chaps & paddock boots all the time at the schooling show at RH & will be Sat even in dressage. they are the smooth chaps no problems. & use them for SJ & XC

Oh good! What division are you riding in? We'll have to meet up! I am going up Friday and we are doing the BN division..it is Tucker's first event!

[Alterageous]

If you don't like your half chaps soft, Petrie's might suit you. Of course they can't have the structural integrity of a stiff boot, but they are stiffer than a soft boot.

Not a question of what I prefer personally...I ride in full chaps daily, and show in tall boots. Simply answering a poster's question about what the difference is.

[bccalhoun]

Lori - I am not riding 3 phase this time usually either P/T or T but b/c of Gunner had some problems with front left just doing Prelim A Dressage & 2 stadium. I will be up there Friday afternoon with my 2 dogs. ( a Jack & a Rat)

[LSM1212]

Well, it's possible they just didn't know the actual reason for it, which is that a tall boot is worn first and foremost to protect the leg while out hunting, but secondarily because in the days before boots were made of infant calfskin, the stiffness of a boot provided a uniformity in the pressure of the leg aid and thus, allowed you to have a more educated leg because you could get more done with less pressure. The softness and break in half chaps at the ankle doesn't accomplish this in any way.

I don't mind seeing half chaps, but half chaps that zip up the outside of the leg I find to be distracting...the kind that zip up the back, and closely resemble a tall boot, I don't mind at all. I believe the rules actually state that the half chap must be of black smooth leather and of the gaiter type that resembles a tall boot--not just any chaps are legal.

Of course depends on how closely a show follows the rules, but half chaps are not all legal.

Thanks for the reply... but I'm sure they knew the reason behind it (leg protection, etc). They posted that reason hence why they answered "tradition". As for leg protection out in the hunt field, that makes sense. I guess my thoughts were... doing the Hunter's today... you are in an enclosed arena jumping "fake" jumps. Don't think there is the same risk as back in the old days. :D And you don't really see the traditional attire anymore either (all kind of colored coats, ratcatchers, breeches, helmets of all kinds, bling, etc). But it seems that tall boots are the only mainstay.

I just argued the point that nothing else is really 'traditional' anymore so why can't a nice pair of (smooth black leather with zipper up the back) half chaps be okay for lower level shows? But got pounded for it. :) That's okay... was JMO. I'll stick to my non-rated, low level shows where 1/2 chaps are okay.

I now have the nice one's you are talking about (smooth black leather with zipper up the back) that I'll be using this year at shows. :D

I just don't think it's the end all be all... :winkgrin:

[Lori T]

Lori - I am not riding 3 phase this time usually either P/T or T but b/c of Gunner had some problems with front left just doing Prelim A Dressage & 2 stadium. I will be up there Friday afternoon with my 2 dogs. ( a Jack & a Rat)

I will look for you! You can't miss Tucker..he is a big black draftx!

[Barnbrat80]

Lori,

I have shown at the RH schooling shows in half chaps. I had the same problem with my legs swelling. So I wore tall boots for dressage and my brown paddock boots and brown suede half chaps for stadium and cc. It was WAY cooler than those tall boots! :yes:

Good Luck on Saturday. I sat this one out because my mare has a bowed tendon and I already had my gelding scheduled for a float. I might come out and watch. Have a blast regardless.

[bccalhoun]

Ok Lori I will look for you. You won't miss me with 2 little dogs that match. Black & White

[Alterageous]

Thanks for the reply... but I'm sure they knew the reason behind it (leg protection, etc). They posted that reason hence why they answered "tradition". As for leg protection out in the hunt field, that makes sense. I guess my thoughts were... doing the Hunter's today... you are in an enclosed arena jumping "fake" jumps. Don't think there is the same risk as back in the old days. :D And you don't really see the traditional attire anymore either (all kind of colored coats, ratcatchers, breeches, helmets of all kinds, bling, etc). But it seems that tall boots are the only mainstay.

I just argued the point that nothing else is really 'traditional' anymore so why can't a nice pair of (smooth black leather with zipper up the back) half chaps be okay for lower level shows? But got pounded for it. :) That's okay... was JMO. I'll stick to my non-rated, low level shows where 1/2 chaps are okay.

I now have the nice one's you are talking about (smooth black leather with zipper up the back) that I'll be using this year at shows. :D

I just don't think it's the end all be all... :winkgrin:

No, I'm agreeing with you...I think they're fine. However, they have to walk a fine line before it basically becomes schooling attire being worn in the show ring. I'm all for making showing more affordable, but I think they're on the right track to not make it acceptable to think it's TOO casual.

That's all. Give an inch and some people will take a mile...and the rulemakers know it.