Boots or polos for a clinic?

[Rescue_Rider9]

I am doing my first ever clinic with a BNT (Micheal Tokurak) at the end of the month. I have only done one other clinic in my life and it was with my trainer... so it kinda didnt count. I am going for the very conservative look with a white saddle pad for the horse and I am wearing a white polo with my tan breeches, light brown belt, and my black gloves. My question is should I use my white polos on my horse or my black open fronts? I love the all white look, but what is more preferred?
Thanks,
Paige

[klmck63]

Would it be four polos or just in front?

You probably can't go wrong either way, but to me, four white polos means dressage. So I would go with the open fronts.

[alteringwego]

use whatever you usually use. Don't use polos unless you can do them very well.

[Rescue_Rider9]

all 4 not just up front..

I normally just go through moods.. sometimes boots.. sometimes polos. So either are fine?

[klmck63]

Yep, then I would say that either are fine.

ETA: You will generally see more boots than polos, though. If that makes a difference.

[Pirateer]

It doesn't matter at all if you wrap well.

If its wet out obviously use the boots. White polos are gonna get dirty after one day so you'll need spares.

[Rescue_Rider9]

The clinic is only one day so I should be in good shape! I really love my polos and have only used them once... so obviously i really want to use them, but I wanted to make sure I wouldnt look silly..

ETA: If its wet I will use the boots because the polos retain water too much!

[Dun Ciarain]

If you are looking for a conservative look (my last show barn was very, very conservative), I would use the boots. White polos are not very conservative.

[Rescue_Rider9]

My boots dont match my look though.. is that still okay?

[Dun Ciarain]

My boots dont match my look though.. is that still okay?

Take a look at my profile photo. Grey eskies with a white jumper pad. The boots disappear - which is what you want. I think that white polos for a jumping clinic are just going to stand out too much. No one's horse boots need to match their shirt and saddle pad.

[Pirateer]

What are your boots like if they don't "match your look?"

[Rescue_Rider9]

The are just black.. lol Im just a matching nazi! lol But I suppose I may go with the boots! I havent used them yet either, but since I am an eventer and love my dressage stuff I love the white polo look!

[Lucassb]

If used in a H/J clinic, "conservative" turnout would mean black if you are using polos. White is much less common.

I would use the boots instead, but it's not life or death either way, particularly if you are presenting a horse as a jumper (which many eventers do.) Hunters and eq horses on the other hand, tend to be "quieter" in their tack and apparel choices.

[clearound]

Not to be snarky, but why is the color of your polos that important.

[SkipChange]

Not to be snarky, but why is the color of your polos that important.

Well, if a rider shows up dressed in hot pink and neon green polos for a clinic...it might be important! Sorry, just saying...you're trying to look professional and its desirable to dress in conservative colors.

Personally, I'm OK with white polo wraps if the horse is white/grey or has socks. Otherwise I prefer to see black but white has become very popular where I board.

[tBHj]

I've seen people in clinics picked out and told infront of everyone not to polo if they can't do it better then perfect.

If you're not good at it - use boots!

I'm good at using polos, but in a clinic I would use boots.

[clearound]

Well, if a rider shows up dressed in hot pink and neon green polos for a clinic...it might be important! Sorry, just saying...you're trying to look professional and its desirable to dress in conservative colors.



I would hope that if you are trying to look professional then you would not show up in hot pink and neon green. Why can't she just ask her trainer. She does have one. It just seems so trivial in the scheme of things.

[theroanypony]

If I were you, I'd go with the boots, save the polos for a dressage clinic. :) For the record, I school my pony in white polos, even at shows, but I don't have any boots.

[mvp]

I think good jumper trainers know about the link between dressage and their discipline.

Sparkling white polos and an equally white saddle pad can look nice.

This is especially true if your horse uses his front end well while he moves and jumps. If you aren't so proud of it, go darker.

[JinxyFish313]

Too much white is the opposite of conservative to me, it just draws attention. Especially when you end up with green slobber on your white shirt and mud/dirt on the white polos. You want the clincian's best advice on your riding, so everything but you and the horse should disappear to the eye.

I prefer boots for clinics because of the time you'll spend in the ring. A boot with cooling technology will be much better for the horse's legs than getting sweaty in polos for several hours, especially since as they sweat the wraps will become looser.

[Right on Target]

If it helps, I audited a GM clinic last month and almost all of the horses had black open front Eskadrons.

No one had polos.

[JazCreekInc.]

IMO open front boots are appropriate for a jumper or horse that is not super careful

If you are on a hunter or equitation horse four well wrapped polos would be appropriate assuming the horse will not plow through all the jumps.