Show Gear: What Not To Wear Edition

(Not in keeping with this post at A Enter Spooking where she and TC look so gorgeous and professional - check it out if you actually wanted to see how to look good while dressagin' :)

I have zero excuses for my haphazard rated dressage show look...I had plenty of time to shop for appropriate items, I just never quite got around to it. I could have stayed in a hotel and showered like a normal person, instead I opted to camp and swim in the river, and generally be sweaty and filthy for 3 days straight, lol

My only (tiny) excuse is that the show organizers told me in the morning they were waiving jackets because it was too hot. Then, when I went to enter the ring, the steward was like "Um no, you need a jacket." So I had two minutes to ride over to my camping spot, (praying Midge would ground tie) and dig out my jacket and assemble myself in it, with the back number they also insisted we wear and get back in the ring before the bell. I made it, but it wasn't pretty, and a stock tie wasn't happening lol.

Um yes, that's my unbuttoned shirt collar hanging out. But, hey, I'm wearing a coat!

Breeches: Irideon Bellisima full seats. My other white breeches were stained, so I ordered these last minute, on a super (like $20 super) clearance sale. They were a size larger than I normally wear, but for $20 I was OK with that. And...they arrived 3 days prior to the show and were really, really big...like 2-3 sizes big. I have no idea who designs and sizes their breeches, but they are generous, to say the least. And, the disappointment continued because they literally fell apart over the course of one day. The full seat material just sort of disintegrated and is now pretty much see through where it contacts the saddle. Also, baggy breeches = blisters. Ughhh. So, back to the old stained and grubby breeches it was.

Show Shirts: This was my one success. I have a couple of Asmar shirts I bought on sale last year. they somehow were breathable, repelled dirt, and actually fit decently.

Stock tie: Just a plain old Shires brand one. I hate stuff around my neck and I'm not a huge fan of frills and bling so really I'm not a real dressage rider  I'm OK with my current tie.

Show Jacket: This was embarrassingly bad. We were going to go shopping earlier in the week so I could try stuff on in person, but then, as mentioned, the show organizers were like "it's forecasted record breaking temperatures, so jackets will be waived for the weekend "And I was like "Yay, saved myself money and time, now I don't need to shop and can wait for a sale!" I packed my ancient black wool hunt coat just in case the weather forecast was wrong...and discovered upon my frantic journey back to the campsite to put it on for the first time in years that it's way too small. Like, teenage me small. Should have just brought my tried and true navy blue one (or stuck with eventing, lol).

Boots: Adequate. They're Mountain Horse field boots, and on the older side, but they're comfy and clean up well. When they die, I'll get a pair of dressage boots.

Saddle: County Competitor. Presentable, but is starting to need a reflocking and definitely due for an adjustment. I hate it for me, but Midge approves, so we're good. It's going in for an overhaul this fall, fingers crossed she can tweak things to make me happier too.

Girth: Another fail. That beautiful Schockemohle girth I bought over the winter is now borderline too large for a dieting Midge, plus somehow the keepers on both sides managed to come unstitched over the weekend. It's seen a lot of use over the last 6 months, but yeah, not pleased about it needing repairs already.

Saddle pad: I ended up using an all purpose white pad with a sqare-ish cut, because I have yet to find a nice dressage pad that is 14.2hh cob size...the big horse stuff is huge on her and the pony stuff too short for an adult saddle.

Why no, that's not an all purpose pad, this is dressage! ;)

Bridle: Standard Bobby's dressage bridle. Cleans up nice, and is basic, but good enough quality.

On the plus side, I'm living proof that you can show at a rated show with super budget, unflattering wardrobe, and non fancy tack and your scores will still be exactly the same. I wouldn't recommend it though, because seriously, you'll feel so much better if you're comfortable and know you look the part. I'm starting with shopping for a nicely fitting coat and breeches as we speak, no more procrastinating!

Side note, Kitty Customs is a real problem in our house. My parcels might get delivered, but they are inspected and defended by BK for undetermined amounts of time. The struggle for show gear is neverending, guys.

G sent me these pics this morning. Yay, hopefully boxes containing new show clothes!

Ok, yeah, that's fine, nevermind,  I don't need to open the box or try those clothes on. What could possibly go wrong?;)

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