Help Needed For First Time Shadbelly Wearer!

[katie16]

I am hoping to surprise a child (17yrs) with her first shadbelly this week. She has a few upcoming classics that will be her "last hurragh" and she would love to have one so I am hoping to get one and surprise her. However, we are new to the shad wearing and wondering what else do we need to get, and how do we wear it properly?

I know I need to get her a stock tie and pin, right? But is there a special shirt that she should wear? Or do you just put the stock tie on with a normal white show shirt? Is it okay to get the "pre-tied" stock tie - or is that tacky in obvious bad taste?

And one more question - if the Stake class is technically the 1st round of the classic, should she wear the shad in that class? Or just if she makes it to the second/final round in the classic?

I am trying to pull this together for later THIS week! Thanks in advance for any advice!

[STNS]

I am hoping to surprise a child (17yrs) with her first shadbelly this week. She has a few upcoming classics that will be her "last hurragh" and she would love to have one so I am hoping to get one and surprise her. However, we are new to the shad wearing and wondering what else do we need to get, and how do we wear it properly?

I know I need to get her a stock tie and pin, right? But is there a special shirt that she should wear? Or do you just put the stock tie on with a normal white show shirt? Is it okay to get the "pre-tied" stock tie - or is that tacky in obvious bad taste?

And one more question - if the Stake class is technically the 1st round of the classic, should she wear the shad in that class? Or just if she makes it to the second/final round in the classic?

I am trying to pull this together for later THIS week! Thanks in advance for any advice!

A white show shirt is fine. In my opinion the pre-tied ties often look cheesy, it's not hard to tie a stock tie properly. You can have some fun with the stock pins as well, I have a lovely one that's a silver eggbutt snaffle with a gemstone in the center.

[SidesaddleRider]

And one more question - if the Stake class is technically the 1st round of the classic, should she wear the shad in that class? Or just if she makes it to the second/final round in the classic?

The shadbelly should just be worn for the 2nd/final round of the classic.

[katie16]

A white show shirt is fine. In my opinion the pre-tied ties often look cheesy, it's not hard to tie a stock tie properly. You can have some fun with the stock pins as well, I have a lovely one that's a silver eggbutt snaffle with a gemstone in the center.

I figured doing the tie yourself would be prefered - we just don't know how and have nobody to show us! I will look momentarily, but I am wondering if there are directions (hopefully with pictures!) online some place? Any tips would be appreciated!


The shadbelly should just be worn for the 2nd/final round of the classic.

That's what we figured, but just wanted to check. Keeping in mind that the 2nd/final round of the classic comes right after her stake class, I figure she'll need to go at the top of the order in order to get dressed! Seriously though, assuming she shows in her white show shirt that day, she "just" needs to jump off, tie the stock tie on over her shirt (w/pin), put the shadbelly on and she's good to go? Is a mirror required, or should she be able to do this ringside?

[STNS]

I figured doing the tie yourself would be prefered - we just don't know how and have nobody to show us! I will look momentarily, but I am wondering if there are directions (hopefully with pictures!) online some place? Any tips would be appreciated!


My stock tie came with instructions on the package. If yours doesn't, and you can't find clear ones online, I can scan and send.

[katie16]

My stock tie came with instructions on the package. If yours doesn't, and you can't find clear ones online, I can scan and send.


That is good to know and thank you so much for the offer! I will be getting it today, so if we still cannot figure things out, I will be back pleading for more assistance!

[STNS]

That is good to know and thank you so much for the offer! I will be getting it today, so if we still cannot figure things out, I will be back pleading for more assistance!

If you're a visual learner (like me), these are basically what came with mine

http://www.libertyvillesaddleshop.com/extras/stocktie_print.htm

[Vandy]

Many of the other people in the class will likely be changing before the second round too, so don't worry about rushing. There will also surely be people around the ring who can help you with the tie if you are having a hard time. Have fun :)

[ExJumper]

Unlike braiding, where no braids are preferable to bad braids, a badly tied stock is STILL a million times better than a pre-tied stock.

Just tie it in a knot, fluff it out, and jam a pin through there and you'll be fine!

White shirt underneath. NO low-rise breeches. PLAIN black or brown leather belt.

[Giddy-up]

Seriously though, assuming she shows in her white show shirt that day, she "just" needs to jump off, tie the stock tie on over her shirt (w/pin), put the shadbelly on and she's good to go? Is a mirror required, or should she be able to do this ringside?

If she practices in advance & isn't the type to get overwhelmed, dressing at the show ring shouldn't be an issue. I have seen some riders whipping their stocks on ringside, but I am not that gifted & require assistance of somebody who has a clue what they are doing. :lol:

I agree a white shirt, stock tie & pin plus make sure she's wearing a decent belt is pretty much what you'll need for the change over. A mirror would be helpful if she's trying to tie it herself.

[Giddy-up]

Unlike braiding, where no braids are preferable to bad braids, a badly tied stock is STILL a million times better than a pre-tied stock.

You mean like when yours truly here went to Pony Finals & realized there was no stock tie to be found & the very creative mother at the in-gate improvised by flipping my regular choker around & making it poofy looking under my (borrowed) shad. I was such a "don't". :lol::D

[ExJumper]

You mean like when yours truly here went to Pony Finals & realized there was no stock tie to be found & the very creative mother at the in-gate improvised by flipping my regular choker around & making it poofy looking under my (borrowed) shad. I was such a "don't". :lol::D

Yup! That was STILL better than a pre-tied stock!!!


I also just remembered that I have worn my stock with my regular navy jacket for the first round before. Saved having to tie the stock ringside -- all I had to do was switch jackets.

I have pictures of this and it didn't look weird at all. I promise :) No one noticed at all...

[Madeline]

A white show shirt is fine. In my opinion the pre-tied ties often look cheesy, it's not hard to tie a stock tie properly. You can have some fun with the stock pins as well, I have a lovely one that's a silver eggbutt snaffle with a gemstone in the center.

Oh, only do that if you have rhinestones on the browband. Plain, gold, horizontal is the word on stock pins. Remember, the whole point of the stock and pin was that you could use them as a bandage. If you want to be authentic, use a four-fold straight stock rather than one of those swirly-shaped ones...

[Gry2Yng]

I have been riding in classes that require a stock tie for about 12 years, still don't know how to tie one. I have always managed to find someone to do it for me. Same goes for my hair. Every year it is on my "list of things to learn", never makes it to the top. All those enablers out there. I even have a list of "lucky" stock tie tiers.

[SoBeIt]

My daughter wears a stock tie for her classics. We used to change into the white shirt and the collar with "fake" stock tie (ratcatcher collar with a velcro thing to hold the tie), then we saw some kids just puting the contraption over their shirt....so that is what we do. She can still wear her favorite/lucky shirt and do a quick change ringside. The hard part is actually the pin...

Really the score in the classic is about the horse and the fences...if it actually came down to a pre-tied vs classic stock tie I would be shocked. The tie is really a small part of the picture.