[Janet]

I got my first black pad because my dressage instructor said it would look good on my bay. I've never looked back.

Except for hunter shows, or foxhunting, I show in black and school in white.

[J-Lu]

I showed a very dark bay in a black velvet (note, velvet, not velveteen - good cotton velvet looks slightly shiny like a well-groomed horse) saddle pad almost exclusively. It makes you stand out a bit from the sea of dark bay horses in white, and it doesn't break up the lines of the horse like a big white square can. Just my opinion!

[kookicat]

I use a white saddle pad, but I'm not keen on the way it looks. The black looks much smarter and more 'seamless' to me.

[SendenHorse]

If black is used I like those with a bit of "sheen" so they don't look so fadded/grey. Not shinny!

I prefer white to have some contrast between the black saddle, boots, and pad. I only show in white.

[Forte]

For showing, I think white looks best on all horses, with the exception of grays, who sometimes look very nice in black. You can never go wrong with a clean, well fitted white pad.

[Heinz 57]

Definitely like the white better...black looks unfinished.

[beckzert]

I prefer white, but the black isn't terrible on your horse. Maybe if you got one with a white border or piping it would dress it up a bit? And I agree with what someone above said about velvet. It's hard to keep black cotton pads from looking faded after they've been washed once. I also think the white one is too big for your saddle.

[Ibex]

I think white can visually breaks up a horse. Dark is often much nicer, and I wish you saw more dark pads! I actually show in a deep navy blue pad that matches my jacket...

[Big_Grey_hunter]

I think white can visually breaks up a horse. Dark is often much nicer, and I wish you saw more dark pads! I actually show in a deep navy blue pad that matches my jacket...

That sounds really pretty. Do you have a picture?

[lorilu]

IMO, the black looks much better. I would pull it back a bit, though - it looks like it is creeping up her neck.

L

[Shagyas Rock]

My humble and possibly ridiculous opinion is that there is nothing wrong with the black and it looks nice. But what it also seems to do (to my eyes anyway) is make your saddle and boots get sort of swallowed up into a sea of black. I love the cream/beige breeches for contrast - very nice.

I have a rose grey who has lightened to a very pale cream (looks white until you look really close, and then you notice his tail is whiter than his coat) I show him in a white Mattes with pale blue sheepskin, with light blue trim, and navy and gold piping. I've gotten some nice compliments - just a touch of color and there seems to be balance: black saddle, white breeches, black boots, white pad with just that little bit of color to add interest.

For what it's worth. In the end. . . I agree with those who have said "use the color you like best." It's the horses we want to show, not our tack.

[Ibex]

I think white can visually breaks up a horse. Dark is often much nicer, and I wish you saw more dark pads! I actually show in a deep navy blue pad that matches my jacket...

Sure! My one regret is that the jacket is double vented, not single. And the pad could be a smidge smaller, but the beast is 17hh and as long as a bus, so it's not heinous. And we event, so I suspect the judges mostly appreciate the fact we put some thought into it (shallow observation...eventers either seem to be the best dressed, or the most horribly sloppy. Yes, I have better things to worry about. )

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...44953219_o.jpg

[Big_Grey_hunter]

Sure! My one regret is that the jacket is double vented, not single. And the pad could be a smidge smaller, but the beast is 17hh and as long as a bus, so it's not heinous. And we event, so I suspect the judges mostly appreciate the fact we put some thought into it (shallow observation...eventers either seem to be the best dressed, or the most horribly sloppy. Yes, I have better things to worry about. )

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...44953219_o.jpg

I love it! I think he would look fine in white, but the dark pad is gorgeous. You coat and the matching pad is such an elegant combination.

[TBrescue]

I have a long backed dark bay and I show in a black pad too. My trainer is a judge and she suggested it. I think my horse looks way better in the black, and yours does too.

[skippy60]

Typically on darker horses, espescially bays, i like to use white or cream. I have a seal bay with a lot of gold amd red undertones, and i show in a *slightly* cream tintd pad with champagne colored piping. I really prefer white for shows, but i think my current show pad shows off his coat better.

[Ibex]

I love it! I think he would look fine in white, but the dark pad is gorgeous. You coat and the matching pad is such an elegant combination.

Thanks! It all started when I bought the cream breeches I'm wearing in the pic and couldn't find the perfect cream pad

[cadance]

IMO the white looks better, but that particular pad is definitely too big. The black pad is a much better fit, but the black looks too casual. Maybe a pale color would work? I saw someone with a pale buttery yellow pad on her bay at CO Championships a few weeks ago and it looked great.