Show breeches - HELP!

[mbmarsh]

OK - small panic here - I'm showing this weekend, and just realized that my Ariat show breeches aren't going to fit! Yikes!

So - I'm frantically searching for some show breeches (C rated show, btw) - that won't break the bank.

Anybody have any ideas come to mind? And I keep hearing that people are actually wearing front zip breeches at shows? Has this actually become acceptable? If so, the options are much more open.

Thanks!

[BAC]

There is no rule that you cannot show in front zip breeches if that is your preference although side zips are more common in the hunter and eq rings. Wear the ones you like best, what kind of judge is concentrating on where your zipper is? ;)

The TS schooling breeches are very popular and fairly reasonable in price as are the lower end Ariats. While I don't own a pair yet, I happen to love the Ovation breeches, a great fabric and under $100, usually about $80-$90 depending on where you buy them. Since its a local show I don't see why you couldn't wear the cheaper On Course Cotton Naturals either although they may be a bit heavy in the summer heat.

[poltroon]

Wear any pair of clean, well fitting breeches in an appropriate color.

Y'all are fretting about side zip versus front zip now? Of course front zip is fine. (No zip is fine too.) Unless your zipper FAILS during your round, I doubt the judge will ever notice.

[mbmarsh]

Well, you guys know how "cliquey" some of these shows can be - I just didn't want anyone turning their noses up at me and thinking I didn't have a clue because I was wearing "inappropriate" breeches.......and if it were hunters, I don't think I would worry quite as much about the front zip, as strange as that sounds. Then it would be covered by a hunt coat - but this is jumpers, and since the forecast is calling for low to mid-90s, it will be a polo shirt and breeches for sure!

Now if I can just slide back into my field boots again - we'll be in good shape!!!!

[poltroon]

If you have a clean, fast round, you can tell everyone that having your zipper in front is what made the difference. :D

[GGsuperpony]

Dover has a great sale right now on bunches of nice schooling / decent showing breeches. Not sure if you could get them delivered by this weekend, but if you have a Dover near you I'd check that out. Riding Sport has a TS Trophy Hunter knock-off for $40 on sale, plus there are several styles of Ariat breeches on sale for as little as $29, with most in the $39 - $49 range.

Also, try BreechesUSA.com. They have a Tailored Sportsman knock-off (http://www.breechesusa.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_11_1139&products_id=5023) for around $100. Again, not sure about the shipping, though. Probably every place CAN get them to you by this weekend, but it might be $$$. (I have a pair of these from when Dover used to sell them. The material is like the 4-way-stretch Tailored Sportsmans, but a tiny bit shinier. The rise is a little lower than the low-rise 4-way-stretch ones. They have the leg seams like TSs too. They are nice enough for most C-rated shows, I would think.)

Depending on the show, the TS Trophy Hunter breeches may be nice enough to show in. I loff mine - they stay clean somehow! They're the only breeches I can wear two or three times without washing, provided I don't get too sweaty! Smartpak can get them to you on time for sure if you order today. Expedited shipping's not that pricey from them, either, at least compared to others.

Oh, and tons of people are showing in front-zips now. Lots in the Pikeur Ciara, lots in the TS Trophy Hunters (at smaller shows), and lots in the TS Professional front-zips. So you wouldn't look out of place as long as the material is nice/dressy (read: not yoga-pant-soft brushed cotton or cotton-blend) and they fit you.

[chawley]

The TS Trophy breeches are being worn at the bigger shows too. I have side tip in tan, and I really like them. They have a much lighter material (and therefore cooler) than the Royals, which is what I typically show in.

If you'd like to stay under $100, the RJ Classic breeches are really nice. They fit beautifully and the fabric is every bit as nice as the higher prices TS or Ariat breeches.

[Across Sicily]

The Ovation breeches and I are great friends. I really desperately wanted a gray and they were the only breech I could find a reasonably priced gray - and they are possibly my favorite breeches.

The Ariat Brittany breeches aren't too bad either - at $99 they won't break the bank. And On Course Cotton Naturals are unbelievably comfy, just heavy.

[luckeys71]

I had a similar problem for my first show in 8 years, back during the winter. Now, who do you think went into my closet and shrunk my good show breeches? I opted for a brand new pair of the On Course Cotton Naturals that I had gotten for Christmas and not opened, yet. No one laughed at me and my horse(her first show, just Pleasure) won 2 of 3 classes and was Champion! I just got 2 more pairs from Dover, on sale. I've always(well, since the side zip thing happened) worn them for schooling. My first time showing in them, though. If it were an A show, I might have felt a little more self concious about it.

[Trevelyan96]

Yup, gotta laugh because the most compliments I get on my breeches are the Dover Riding Sports I wear, just for the simple fact that they fit me better than my TS or Ariats. As long as I can ge a low rise, I'm good, and they are coming out with some cute ones. So nice not to have breeches coming up to my armpits and cutting off my breath anymore!

[Wizard of Oz's]

Dover has great summer sales on Ariats right now; you can get a few styles for only $50. It would be kind of iffy to order them tomorrow and overnight them, but Dover is pretty reliable. I wouldn't worry about front zips or side zips though, both are acceptable.

[mbmarsh]

Which Riding Sports are you guys wearing? I have one pair of the Competitor, which I love for the Euro seat, but they have a lot of extra fabric down by the ankle, so I'm thinking that might make the field boot thing a bit tricky.....is there a different style to try?

I ordered some TS Trophy Hunters in green-beige from Smartpak, at least I know they'll get here in time.....now whether they fit is an entirely different story. I have NEVER been able to wear TS - every time I try them on, something about the fabric, I either end up with a huge waist and tiny hips, or a baggy butt......here's hoping the Trophy's are different.

I would have loved to order something from Dover, but given that it takes about 10 days to ship from MA to NC for them, couldn't try it - and I'm not giving them ANY more money for shipping.....just wish SmartPak had some of the stuff that Dover seems to have an exclusive on....