Perfect Horse Show Turnout

 
When you and your horse go in front of a judge at a horse show your turnouthow you and your horse lookis a big part of the overall impression that the judge will take in. Good horse show turnout isnt about having the most expensive outfit or the fanciest horse. Its mostly effort elbow grease and attention to detail. Fortunately these are things that anyone can do. Here are some tips to help you shine in the show ring with topnotch turnout.
Dress to Win
Make sure you know the rules for the competition and your classes including what tack and equipment is allowed and the dress code for riders. Get advice from your instructor or knowledgeable tack store staff to help you put together an appropriate show look for your discipline.

Do a dress rehearsal with your entire outfit before the show. Try everything on together and ride in it to make sure that it fits well and is comfortable in the saddle. New gear especially boots should be broken in for several rides before the show.
Horse Show Turnout For the English Rider
The classic hunt seat show outfit for almost any English ring includes light tan breeches or jodhpurs a belt a white show shirt and a show coat in navy blue or black. A helmet boots and glovesall in blackfinish the look.
Show shirts for English riders feature a wraparound collar for a smooth look under a show coat. However dressage riders can wear a stock tie with pin and boys wear a white buttondown shirt and tie.
At a casual schooling show where coats arent required a conservative quarterzip riding shirt tucked in with a belt is usually appropriate. If your helmet is patterned or colorful a black helmet cover is an easy way to transform it for show day.
Younger girls can wear their hair in braids and show bows older girls should put hair up in a hairnet. Photo by Elizabeth Moyer.
Younger riders wear jodhpurs paired with short paddock boots and leather garter straps that buckle under the knee to help keep pants in place. Girls can do their hair in two braids with bows instead of a hair net.
Horse Show Turnout for Western Riders
Western show attire varies by the type of event or class and trends in the show pen change frequently. A basic look to start at small local shows is a starched buttondown shirt with long sleeves