Clinic on Friday!!! Help me and my horse dress

[ShadyLady_DQ]

On Friday I will be attending a clinic with Manolo Mendez, and I would love some input into attire. Obviously the horse and tack will be clean, this is more about coordinating attire etc.

Here is a pic of the horse to get an idea of coloring.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/ShadyLady_DQ/DSC_0377.jpg
This was taken at a dressage show earlier this year, she is a bit more shaggy now because of winter. I will be using all the same tack with the exception of the browband I got a new POH one thats really pretty.

So...
Option A:
White saddle pad with pink monogram and pink polos, white polo shirt, black ariat full seats, dress boots.

Option B
Pink saddle pad with grey trim and monogram (its not really bright, more dusky pink color), pink polos, pink polo shirt,black ariat full seats, dress boots.

Feel free to post any combo of items or a whole new attire.

Also I have just cut my hair into a very short a-line bob that come to my chin, I cant put it in a bun like I would normally do with a hairnet. What should I do with my hair? Also I dont ride with a helmet normally (I know, save the lecture) should I use a hair net and do hunter hair with a hunt cap or clip the bangs back and leave the rest down. I have no pics of the hair currently so if you wanna see it let me know.

I really appreciate everybody help with this Im super nervious and I want to make a good impression.

Thanks!

[Renae]

I would not wear black breeches on your presumably black dressage saddle. Wear some other lighter color so your clinician can more easily see you leg position.

[Hampton Bay]

I would use white polos, not pink. White is the standard.

[Dressage.For.Life.]

Plain white saddle pad, white polos or boots (or nothing). White polo shirt and white or light gray breeches. Keep. It. Simple.

[high hat]

I tend to think that classic is best in clinic situations. To mean light colored breeches a polo shirt or other shirt that isn't oversized and white polos on the horse. I think Dressage Today just had an article on this from the perspective of 3 or 4 clinicians. All of them wanted you to wear clean, comfortable clothing and to do the same for the horse.

[GallantGesture]

Agree with Dressage For Life... Simple is best. White on the horse, conservative colors on the human. If you don't want to do a white polo, then maybe a navy, hunter, or black polo over khaki breeches, or if it's cold, a neat look for clinics is a conservative color vest over a turtle neck.

Have fun in your clinic, and let us know how it goes!!

[Zevida]

I vote for any option that does not include pink polo wraps!

Other than that, option A sounds fine to me.

[ShadyLady_DQ]

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately I only own black schooling breeches all my others are white show breeches. I am probably going to wear a white polo. I have only two white polos wraps (my washer ate the other two) so its either two white ones or four pink, what do you think? Not alot of options. I agree with keeping it simple, I am opting for the white pad. I still need hair help that is my main concern now.

Thanks!!!!

[Hampton Bay]

Go with the pair of white. As for hair, just pull it back under a helmet. Even if you don't normally wear one, you will look much more polished than you will with short hair bouncing all over the place.

[n2dressage]

Hair help: lunchroom lady hairnet and hunt cap so there's not any hair flopping around. I have a friend with hair in a bob that can't be pulled back and she rocks the lunchroom lady hairnet and a helmet at shows.

I don't think a pink polo (if you must have pink) and black breeches would scare a clinician but pink polo wraps on the horse might... any friends have any brushing boots or dark polos to borrow?:winkgrin:

[ShadyLady_DQ]

n2dressage I agree that the lunch room look is going to have to do, not good planning on my part I figured it would be long enough by next show season but forgot to factor in clinics. Also, I think I could rustle up some burgundy polos or what about just using two white ones on the front. As I am saving money for the coming show season I am totally broke. I may splurg on some white polos thought. For some reason all my non horsie friends bought me pink polos so I have two brand new sets :rolleyes:
Thoughts...white breeches AND white polo shirt? or what?

[Zevida]

Skip the burgundy polos too! White, black or go without IMO. Using just the two white is fine, or ask a barn buddy if you can borrow some white ones.

If you are going with the white breeches, I'd pick a darker colored polo. This is where you can add in a bit of color - navy, burgundy, green, etc. Conservative, not too bright/flashy, but I'm not a fan of white on white for breeches and shirts.

[ShadyLady_DQ]

Zevida, I will probably just buy new polo wraps. Also I think for my sanity I will just wear the black breeches with a white polo, as i think my white ones are at my parents house with my show jacket. So black breeches and gloves with white polo shirt, white polo wraps and white saddle pad and lunch lady (hunter hair) under a hut cap is the final look I think.

Does everybody agree?

[Beasmom]

I'm just checking in. Sounds like you've got it sorted out. Keep it simple, clean & neat. Have fun and learn a ton!

[ShadyLady_DQ]

Im sooo excited this is one of the bigger named trainers that I have ridden with. I will post pics after the clinic!!!!

Thanks for every bodys help. I just want to make a good impresion, as I am trying to qualify for regonal adult amatuer championships this coming year and I am focusing on training as much as possible over the winter time.

[Zevida]

I was just flipping through my Dressage Today and they've got an article on clinic attire! Do you have a copy or know someone who has a copy? If you can grab one tomorrow it might give you some ideas!

[ShadyLady_DQ]

I was just flipping through my Dressage Today and they've got an article on clinic attire! Do you have a copy or know someone who has a copy? If you can grab one tomorrow it might give you some ideas!

Sombody mentioned that earlier, I tried to get it online but its not available. I will try to get one when i go to the tack store on wednesday.

[slc2]

Well, what I have seen at the bigger clinics is very conservative, both to show respect to the clinician and to allow him or her to see horse and rider clearly from a distance.

White Polos, white saddle pad, white breeches. No pink, no burgundy, no navy, etc. Clinician needs to be able to see the horse and rider, so the dark breeches, saddle pad and polos are out.

But it is also very disrespectful to the clinician, to show up to clinic with a top level clinician in monograms and pink.

For a bigger clinic the horse needs to be braided, the breeches white, saddle pad plain, white, with very clean, white polos. Treat it as pretty much like a recognized dressage show.

The breeches should be white. The only thing that is different from a show is the jacket and shirt. Instead of a jacket and stock and shirt, a very neat, plain polo shirt (monograms, if any, need to be very small and unobtrusive), in white or navy or black. If it is colder, a white turtleneck and a dark vest (dark navy or black) can be worn.

[Kelly in NJ]

Zevida, I will probably just buy new polo wraps. Also I think for my sanity I will just wear the black breeches with a white polo, as i think my white ones are at my parents house with my show jacket. So black breeches and gloves with white polo shirt, white polo wraps and white saddle pad and lunch lady (hunter hair) under a hut cap is the final look I think.

Does everybody agree?


This sounds perfect.

Always white polos and white saddle pad for the horse. Ask the clinic organizer if other riders plan on braiding for the clinic. It is respectful to the clinician (and also lets them see your horse's neck better) if you braid.

Although light colored pants are better, black will be o.k., don't stress or spend a lot of money for new pants.

FWIW, I have been to TONS of clinics (with top clinicians/BNTs, actually two of them with trainers from the DT article) and have never worn white pants and have never seen anyone wearing white pants.

[egontoast]

Just be neat and tidy with conservative colours. I think this is displaced worry. Calm down .

On the other hand, maybe Manolo ADORES pink.:lol:

[blackhorse6]

Question here as well...Can white very clean boot be worn in place of polo wraps? They all serve the same purpose and frankly, I like the boots better. Again, clean as in looking new.. :yes:

[JRG]

I don't mind the pink so much, but I am not that bold. Clean, neat appearance is the most important.

Do go with a hair net, flinging hair is distracting. My hair is in the middle stage of growing out again, and last weekend I used a hair net.

As for the breeches, I too would wear a lighter colour to set your leg apart from the saddle...afterall you are at a clinic and you want the clinician to be able to see easily what is going on.

Have fun, and learn alot.

[Boomer]

Conservative, not too bright/flashy, but I'm not a fan of white on white for breeches and shirts.

I inadvertently realized the white on white issue at a show this year. Coats were waived (yippee) but when I got my video back - ye gads! I looked like a marshmellow! No more white shirt with white breeches for me!

I like some color in dressage. If your pad is white with pink trim, that's fine. I'm not a big pink fan, but if you are, why not do it?

I don't know that I would go with pink polos. Dark burgandy polos...ok. You could do a white pad, burgandy polos, burgundy shirt, lighter color breeches, tall boots.

[mickeydoodle]

Unless you have ridden with the clinician many times over years, keep it very plain. NO PINK!

I would not wear white britches, any comfortable britches are fine.

Unless the clinic is more of a symposium (ie tons of auditors, formal QandA sessions, etc) I do not think you need to braid.

[ShadyLady_DQ]

Thanks so much for everybodys replies. I dont think it is as big of a clinic as slc2 is talking about but I will send an email to the organizer about braiding. I also agree with egontoast that I am experiencing "displaced wories" :winkgrin:
I believe I will stick with the black pants as the issue is I have tan ones BUT I took a hiatus from riding for a few years due to an injury, and just started back up a year ago. Well... in that period I gained a bit of weight and now none of my old breeches fit. Im in collage so I only bought two new pairs in black and white. I choose to buy expensive breeches because I really believe in quality over quantity. So theres the story, Im planning to buy some tan ones in the after xmas sales. Also as boomer said white on white = marshmellow :no:
Anyway I will email the organizer and ask her what people generally wear and whether people braid. Im starting to feel better about this. Although Im still nervious and have been riding like a maniac :eek:

[Karoline]

I have attended a number of Manolo's clinics and will be there on Friday. Wear your black breeches you will be fine. No need to braid unless you would like to, makes a lovely picture if you are getting videotaped. As you mentioned a clean horse with tack that fit will do very nicely.

If he is doing work in hand as well as teaching he may ask you to remove the polos.

He is a friendly clinician and you have nothing to worry about. The barn is beautiful, and the regular group of riders and auditors is open and welcoming. I am Caroline in real life, dont hesitate to ask if you need anything.

[Dressage_Julie]

white saddle pad and white wraps... some clinicians dislike colored wraps, better to be safe than sorry! You can wear the pink shirt :)

[FancyFree]

white saddle pad and white wraps... some clinicians dislike colored wraps, better to be safe than sorry! You can wear the pink shirt :)

Do they? And what would happen if you used colored wraps? Would the clinician give me less effort based on the color of my polos? Not being sarcastic, truly, I'm genuinely interested in what you think would happen. The clinics I've taken, no one ever commented on what I was wearing or what my horse had on. But then I'm pretty boring, white pad, white boots, whatever breeches and polo shirt that happened to be clean.

I might buy a bunch of pink stuff and see what happens. (If I ever get my horse to the 'capable of a clinic' point) :lol:

[Ghazzu]

Clearly, you need a pair of these (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190341574568&ih=009&category=159006&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1).

[Dressage_Julie]

Do they? And what would happen if you used colored wraps? Would the clinician give me less effort based on the color of my polos? Not being sarcastic, truly, I'm genuinely interested in what you think would happen. The clinics I've taken, no one ever commented on what I was wearing or what my horse had on. But then I'm pretty boring, white pad, white boots, whatever breeches and polo shirt that happened to be clean.

I might buy a bunch of pink stuff and see what happens. (If I ever get my horse to the 'capable of a clinic' point) :lol:


When I was 10 I went to a 3- day long dressage clinic. Showed up in purple wraps, the clinician told me the next day I should put on proper attire- white wraps/boots and white or black saddle pad. She told me it was about respecting the sport and the traditions as well as her eyes. She was nice about it, but educated me as to the etiquette. When I was 17 I tried again at home with my trainer (a judge), showed up in a leopard saddle pad with white wraps for my lesson, he asked me to leave the arena and put on a black or white saddle pad and that leopard was only appropriate for when he wasn't around. I have to respect that the trainer is the one on the ground actually watching the pink or purple or leopard print and out of respect to them; I use white when I am riding with someone else. If I am alone at home out comes the pink wraps and my pink jacket. When I am not forcing someone to watch me go around in something that is distracting and could take away from what I am paying for in a lesson :) When I rode in clinics with Conrad Schumacher, I would have never imagined coming into the arena in anything but classic whites out of respect to him. Plus, no one I knew wanted to test his patience or rub him the wrong way with a first impression.

Fancyfree if you do get the pink outfit I would be curious to hear what the clinician says :D

[FancyFree]

I will post pictures!

Some people must absolutely die when they get a look at Katie Price, especially when she drives up in her pink horsebox. haha!

[J-Lu]

Honestly, I do not think the clinician will be offended by pink polo wraps if that is what you have. I have seen all sorts of polo colors in top clinics and I have never heard a clinician comment on it or treat them differently. I have ridden in a nice dusky rose pad with an S judge and I thought we looked quite nice.

I used to ride in clinics in black breeches and boots. It had been suggested to me by spectators that the clinician could see my leg better with lighter breeches but no clinician stated this to me. In other words, lighter breeches do make sense but it is not the end of the world if you wear black.

Tasteful pink trim on your pad or a nice pink pad will not garner comments. Unless you are a demo rider, you have a lot of leeway as long as you look tidy. Lots of people do clinics in nice colored pads. If anything, your color choice might set you apart a little from the rest of the riders. That can be a good thing because you will be remembered more the next day.

Stress less about what color you are wearing and more about presenting a neat, tidy appearance for you and your horse. Oh, and have a great clinic!!

[paownyc]

Anyway I will email the organizer and ask her what people generally wear and whether people braid. Im starting to feel better about this. Although Im still nervious and have been riding like a maniac :eek:

Organizer here... :-) No need to email.

You don't need to braid. Black breeches and a polo will be perfect -- it's usually what I wear. We're supposed to be near 80 on Friday. It should be just lovely!

Honestly, I think you'd be just fine with the pink polos, especially if they are pale pink. We're pretty casual.

Look forward to meeting you on Friday!!!

[ShadyLady_DQ]

Organizer here... :-) No need to email.

You don't need to braid. Black breeches and a polo will be perfect -- it's usually what I wear. We're supposed to be near 80 on Friday. It should be just lovely!

Honestly, I think you'd be just fine with the pink polos, especially if they are pale pink. We're pretty casual.

Look forward to meeting you on Friday!!!

OI this has turned into an interesting topic, lots of different opinions here!

Caroline I look forward to meeting you, my name is Leia and my mare is Shady.

Im assuming that paownyc is Pamela, thanks for getting back to me and I think I will just bring all my polo wraps and maybe use the pink ones ( they are very light). I dont think I will braid as I have really dont have time with all my school work.

Thanks so much for the comments and laughs (katie price = priceless or tacky) Keep em coming!!!!

[Quest52]

Glad you've gotten a direct response from the organizer OP. That is always helpful.

In a general sense, I've always been "fun" at home with colors and craziness, but clinic-ed in neutral breeches and white pads and wraps. I know I would HATE to be in a place like dressagejulie and enter into a situation to find out then that it was improper.

There are plenty of affordable white wraps out there (or go sans wraps) and a light pair of breeches, even full seat, can be found easily enough on tackoftheday for very decent prices.

The one place I don't want to stand out for my attire would be in a clinic where people are trying to learn.

[Mary in Area 1]

Just FYI, I have been to the National Symposiums and many years of the big NEDA symposiums and have NEVER seen ANYONE wear white breeches. Tan or khaki, yes, but never white.

Usually you use white polos, white pad and breeches in a conservative color and a top and a vest that coordinates well.

I don't think pink or leopard print should even be used for weekly lessons. My trainer will send you back to the barn if you show midriff skin with low rise breeches, or a tank top with cleavage showing. No Katie Price stuff allowed here.

[Hazelnut]

I didn't read all the replys but I think white polos...they help in seeing the horse's gait more clearly. Buy a set of four so they all look white or dingy white together and look the part. Oh the organizer says pink polos OK...well good, they will also allow the clinician to see the gaits.

White saddle pad. So you can use your ink saddlepad, too!

Black breeches and a pink polo sound fine.

have FUN!

[bort84]

Wowie, so many responses. This is one of those things that totally depends on the clinician, so it's good to hear from the organizer.

I honestly thought the white pad with pink monogram, paired with pink polos sounded nice = ) And I'm a very conservative black or white kinda gal (plus my current horse is a leopard appy, so he's got enough bling on his own - can't imagine what a leopard print pad would look like on him!) If it's a nice pale pink, that produces the same effect as white polos as far as being able to see the horse's legs clearly. A pink or white polo would be fine, depending on how matchy matchy you want to be.

I've seen people show up in neon colors for clinics, but they usually know the clinician, and know he doesn't care a bit. Sounds like the organizer gave you the go ahead for your pink ensemble, so I'd go the pink and white route, unless you really want to buy new white polos, which also look spiffy (and you can get a nice pair for about 15 bucks).

Oh, also, as far as hair - can you tie up the top half? That looks neat and tidy. Otherwise, practice with a small bun+hairnet, then maybe throw on a helmet or hunt cap to keep it all in place.

[Pony Fixer]

I just returned from a clinic with Cesar Parra--dress was conservative all around (I only saw the ride before and after me--both professionals). White boots/polos, white saddle pads. No braiding, but horses all very clean and tidy, clipped. The other riders had polo shirts, I wore a Kerrits coolmax type shirt (with collar) and navy breeches. Clean boots. My horse also wore bell boots.

I think if you are neat, clean, conservative, and professional looking, you will be fine, regardless of the details.

[paownyc]

Just an FYI... ShadyLady looked great yesterday!!! She had a fabulous lesson and it was wonderful to meet her.

[ShadyLady_DQ]

Just an FYI... ShadyLady looked great yesterday!!! She had a fabulous lesson and it was wonderful to meet her.

Thanks so much I had a blast and it was very nice to meet everybody :D
I will be there to audit later today. See you all later!

[eventerchick517]

But it is also very disrespectful to the clinician, to show up to clinic with a top level clinician in monograms and pink.



Honest question.:D

Why is it disrespectful to show up with a monogram? I get the whole pink thing.....but why the monogram? By monogram I am talking about the Dutch WB symbol or the riders initals, perhaps the horses name.

[Shrunk "N" Da Wash]

A is def better then B because a pink saddle pad would be too much.

But.... I think the best would be white saddle pad, white polos, black breeches (but if u have a lighter color that would look better), and a pink shirt.

A pink accent is fun but too much looks really amateur. I go xc in just a pink shirt and everything else is black or white. Although sometimes I through some pink bell boots on. But in a dressage clinic you don't want pink bell boots. Less is more :cool:

[J-Lu]

Well, Jody Kelly and Angel Ozer (sp?) are GP riders who are all about pink. There is a German GP rider who also has pink points on her shadbelly. Jody has pink leather tall boots. I am not saying that she'd wear them in a clinic but she almost always has something pink on even in clinics with her trainer Courtney King.

I will go out on a limb and say that I can't imagine a clinician who is offended by pink, a saddlepad with monograms, or anything else that isn't tidy. TIDY is the key, not color coordination. They are being paid to train you, not evaluate your fashion sense. Big clinicians see hundreds of people and are not that hung up on what your saddle pad looks like.

Soooooooooooo, what did you wear??? :)

[ShadyLady_DQ]

Soooooooooooo, what did you wear??? :)

White polo shirt with a pink collar and a silver horse shoe on the breast, black breeches, white polos, white saddle pad with pink monogram, and tall boots of course.

I was actually dressed pretty conservatively compared to some there, but everybody looked great and had a great time.

I will post a report on the clinic when I have more time. It was a great experience.