Ariat Bromonts - smart enough for competing at dressage or just a yard boot?

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fine_and_dandy

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I need [yes really!] a new pair of boots for the yard as my beloved Ariats, after being abused daily for 3 years are beginning to die on me.

I need to replace them and was thinking of going along with the same boots as before [Ariat short boot].

I am also shopping around for a brown pair of long boots, and am very taken by the Ariat Bromonts, BUT are they smart enough to be a competition boot? A friend thinks they are more of a yard boot, and I don't want to buy them and effectively end up with two yard boots and no competition boot.

Just to clarify - I am hoping to go out and do some low level dressage, and depending upon how we progress we may decide to affiliate, so I want to be able to wear these boots for the lower levels of dressage affiliated and unaffiliated.

Before anyone asks, I prefer brown leather as a personal thing but also as my horse is dun so will look better with him, but if it means I have to have things like a brown hat or it isn't correct the further up the levels you go, I can go for black if needs must.

Thanks for any help!
 
I'd vomit if anyone expected me to wear my bromonts as a yard boot!! I'm lower than low level myself, but a £250+ boot isn't a yard boot on my feet! :D
 
i only compete in mine - low level BE, local shows, RC, even hunt in them *runs and hides and the anti-dressage-cut-boot-top-out-hunting brigade may fine me*
i seriously love them - would never dream of walking in a muddy puddle even in them! lol
 
I would wear them to compete, might not be correct if your planning on showing above local level though but for every thing else they would look very smart.
 
You can get them for less than £200 if you shop around. When I bought mine Ingatestone did them cheaply, although you had to call them as they are listed as more expensive on the website. Various other places have discounts on them too.

I have an insulated pair in black and wear them for everything (although low level competions so don't know about higher). I take the view that for that price they can earn their keep and should be sturdy and hard wearing. Also, when I compete I want to be wearing the same boots that I'm used to wearing, otherwise my legs get confused :o
 
posie_honey said:
i only compete in mine - low level BE, local shows, RC, even hunt in them *runs and hides and the anti-dressage-cut-boot-top-out-hunting brigade may fine me*
i seriously love them - would never dream of walking in a muddy puddle even in them! lol
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I tried a pair on and they came half way up my knee but I've heard that they drop - I am 5'6 and have long legs so I was a little surprised. Did anyone else have this problem and how much did yours drop by? When they bag at the ankle, does it look really awful or not noticeable?

Anyone know the rules with regard to brown boots and hat colour? I know I have to wear a tweed jacket, but do I need a brown hat or can I wear blue or black?

Sorry for all the questions!
 
ghostie said:
You can get them for less than £200 if you shop around. When I bought mine Ingatestone did them cheaply, although you had to call them as they are listed as more expensive on the website. Various other places have discounts on them too.

I have an insulated pair in black and wear them for everything (although low level competions so don't know about higher). I take the view that for that price they can earn their keep and should be sturdy and hard wearing. Also, when I compete I want to be wearing the same boots that I'm used to wearing, otherwise my legs get confused :o
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Yep, my view too but I don't want to batter them, I need to look after them! I have looked around and know you can get them cheaper.

Are the insulated ones too warm for the summer? Or are they ok?
 
I wear mine for competing (except showing)
I wear them for everyday riding as well but they go on last thing before I get on and off as soon as horse untacked.
I don't think they've seen mud in the 18 month I've had them and they come up like new when I clean them.
I haven't had any problems with them going saggy at the ankles either.
 
i'm 5'6 and have long thigh (so maybe short heel to knee? no idea!) but you can see me in mine in my sig - they are noremal length ones (they do come in tall and short i think) - i have mountain hourse heel raisers in them though as they were a little too long for me ;)
 
posie_honey said:
i'm 5'6 and have long thigh (so maybe short heel to knee? no idea!) but you can see me in mine in my sig - they are noremal length ones (they do come in tall and short i think) - i have mountain hourse heel raisers in them though as they were a little too long for me ;)
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I may try to find a "short" version then. I couldn't bend my leg when I tried them on!
 
I am 5"6 and found them a little long. Following advice on here I called Ariat and they sent me a free pair of heel risers that solved the problem. If in doubt get them to send you some and take them to try on with the boots. Mine have started to drop now but haven't got round to taling risers out to test. Haven't owned mine for a summer yet but I read lots of things saying they were fine in the heat. Took the view we have a lot more cold weather than hot and I think they will be fine. I wore them in the mini heat wave we had and didn't notice them being hot.

You would all have a fit if you saw how money are treated, but they shine up good as new :)
 
I've got two pairs of these - one that I'm using as a yard boot (had them several years and they're starting to look a little tired now, though still sound and clean up pretty well and a newer pair I use to compete. I do affiliated dressage in mine; they're smart, flexible and easy to look after! I'd second the fact that if you shop around you can get them for under £200 - I certainly didn't pay that much for either pair! In my experience, they drop but don't sag and the insulation keeps them warm in winter/cool in summer. The only word of caution is that the zips can get a bit sticky and they're really not easy to repair once they break. Putting a skim of saddle soap down the actual zipper whenever you clean helps keep them running smoothly though.
 
Very smart - recently saw them worn for 2* dressage (TH and T), sj and xc. They did not look out of place at all. :)
 
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