BE - whats cool & whats not

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Baileyhoss

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Hi there.

I'm doing my first intro next month
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and although it'll probably be fairly obvious, I don't want it to stand out a mile that i'm a noob!!

So, what gems of wisdom should I know?

i.e., do you bother to change your hats, I normally use my velvet one for the dressage & skull for xc, but would that mean I need both tagged?

do you wear your medical card on your arm or leg? is one not cool, i find mine gets in the way less on my leg, but normally ends up round my ankle

spurs, if you aren't allowed a whip in dressage I'll have to practice in spurs. I guess they are allowed? (haven't got my rule book yet) Are these impuls ones with the rubber tips any good? I have ridden in normal spurs, and wouldn't be jumping in them, so should I just stick to them?

if its a roaster of a day are you allow to showjump in shirts like you are BSJ? if so do they have to be long sleeves/plain white? Now I have asked that it's obviously going to p down all day!!

b's boots are knackered, so he needs new one for this, premier equine aircooled ones seem to come highly recommended and as my budget isn't huge may suit me as well. any opinions to the contrary? can something that cheap, really be so good?

I know clarendon's are out of favour just now with their fleecy lining, but their are the only tendon boots I have, so until I can afford the leather clarendon ones, they'll have to do.

I have old clicky westrops and ww overreach boots. the westrops fit better, but no one seems to use these any more. my ww rub his heels slightly, but will only be using them for xc phase, so they won't be on long enough to mark him. any views on this, are westrops very dated (they are white)?

Don't want to be too overstated with all the gadgets & bling or 'all the gear & no idea', and I know that I should be concentrating on other things more important than what we look like, but every little helps and if you look right, you feel more confident, if you know what I mean.

in other words, what do you seasoned eventers wear, you & horse, and any tips for a noob starting out would be most most helpful.

Fi x
 
Can't answer all your questions, but some I can! If you use your skull cap for sj and xc you will only need to get that one tagged, your dressage one doesn't need to be.

Why not invest in a set of ordinary Woof brushing boots, or similar? They will be fine for your xc (maybe just tape one or two straps if there's an early water), plus you can use them everyday at home.

Only if it's exceptionally hot will you be allowed to ride without a jacket, I saw people were allowed to at Knaptoft last weekend, but that's probably the first time this year.

Current cool place to wear medical card is your leg, make sure it's tight enough not to slip. I'm not cool, I still wear mine on my arm
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Ian Stark used Westropps, and I loved them when I used them and think they are safer than normal overreach boots, I would put your horse's comfort over look here and stick with what you know.

Other than that, if you are wearing a hacking jacket make sure you have a coloured stock (assuming you're female), remember to drop your whip before you do your test, and remember to smile!
 
Wear your med. arm band on your arm.. not your leg
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That's about the only thing i would say was naff, wearing it on your leg
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The rest is up to you.. no one really cares what make of boots your horse wears
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Re. the over-reach boots.. again, i'm sure 'make' of boots really doesn't matter... That said, i'm slightly against over-reach boots, and don't wear them on anything XC or SJing
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[ QUOTE ]
Hi there.

I'm doing my first intro next month
smile.gif
shocked.gif
crazy.gif

and although it'll probably be fairly obvious, I don't want it to stand out a mile that i'm a noob!!

So, what gems of wisdom should I know?

i.e., do you bother to change your hats, I normally use my velvet one for the dressage &amp; skull for xc, but would that mean I need both tagged? <font color="blue">only the one you jump in needs tagged, I do all phases in my skull cap </font>

do you wear your medical card on your arm or leg? is one not cool, i find mine gets in the way less on my leg, but normally ends up round my ankle <font color="blue"> leg gets in the way far less but make sure it doesn't come off as they can eliminate you for this </font>

spurs, if you aren't allowed a whip in dressage I'll have to practice in spurs. I guess they are allowed? (haven't got my rule book yet) Are these impuls ones with the rubber tips any good? I have ridden in normal spurs, and wouldn't be jumping in them, so should I just stick to them? <font color="blue"> no whips allowed in stressage </font>

if its a roaster of a day are you allow to showjump in shirts like you are BSJ? if so do they have to be long sleeves/plain white? Now I have asked that it's obviously going to p down all day!! <font color="blue"> it's unusual to be allowed to do this but some nice judges will allow it </font>

b's boots are knackered, so he needs new one for this, premier equine aircooled ones seem to come highly recommended and as my budget isn't huge may suit me as well. any opinions to the contrary? can something that cheap, really be so good?

I know clarendon's are out of favour just now with their fleecy lining, but their are the only tendon boots I have, so until I can afford the leather clarendon ones, they'll have to do.

I have old clicky westrops and ww overreach boots. the westrops fit better, but no one seems to use these any more. my ww rub his heels slightly, but will only be using them for xc phase, so they won't be on long enough to mark him. any views on this, are westrops very dated (they are white)? <font color="blue"> I doubt anyone will even notice</font>

Don't want to be too overstated with all the gadgets &amp; bling or 'all the gear &amp; no idea', and I know that I should be concentrating on other things more important than what we look like, but every little helps and if you look right, you feel more confident, if you know what I mean.

in other words, what do you seasoned eventers wear, you &amp; horse, and any tips for a noob starting out would be most most helpful.

Fi x

[/ QUOTE ] <font color="blue"> no logos on your saddlecloth &amp; as long as there's no bling or pink fluff you won't stick out!

Eventers are generally a friendly lot &amp; IME "names" in eventing are generally friendlier than nobodies elsewhere! </font>
 
Hats - you won't need your dressage hat tagged, but xc and sj you will - velvet for dressage and skull for jumping is fine and what most people do.
Medical card - I wear on my arm, just because it wouldn't go round my leg, people do either, go with what's secure and comfortable, if it's likely to slip round your ankle that'd be dangerous.
Spurs - are allowed in dressage, but if you don't need them, don't use them! Don't know about impuls spurs.
They may let you jump in shirts if it's toasty.
I used to use westropp over reach boots at BSJA and got some funny looks from the noise they make, but if they fit well and work for your horse, they'll be fine.
Basically, don't worry too much, you will see all sorts of tack and clothing, go with what fits and is comfortable, if you get to the competition with something unworn or new, it may not fit great or feel comfy and you'll end up concious of it and not perform as well as you could do.
Maybe go along and visit an event before you compete?
Good luck!
 
Don't worry so much about what you look like!! Whatever you wear at unaff will be pretty much the same as Intro. If your that worried can you get to one to watch and check people out before your first one?! As long as you have the right safety equipment the rest really doesn't matter.

I always have my armband on my arm because it's in a pocket on my body protector shoulder pad. It only takes 2 seconds to get your hats tagged if you want to wear your velvet one for dr and sj and skull cap for xc.

Remember to have fun!!
 
i would suggest you try and keep tack and clothes changes for you and horse as simple and plain as poss.

A makes life easier for you. Be UBA oraganised about saddles/bridles, if you need to change bits between phases have it all line up and clothes all hung up in correct order in lorry.

If you think you going to be muddled WRITE LIST and stick up in lorry- take as much stress out of day as poss, so you can get on with enjoying comp

and to be honest tis not fashion parade
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and most of all enjoy-good luck
 
I second MdM - medical cards on arm not leg! I think medical cards on legs look very amateur *ducks and runs for cover*

Although there's a lot of blue and black jackets creeping into intro/PN/(and less so) Nov all the pro's ride at PN/Nov in tweed - when in Rome..... Just make sure you don't wear a white/cream stock with one. Either shirt and tie or coloured stock. Lose the BSJA bling!

(all tongue in cheek, obviously what you look like has no effect on your performance but it might help you feel better - I've mastered the 'pro' look so well that people come up to me thinking that they know me. Sadly the likeness disappears as soon as they see me ride
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dam I was hoping to add that stock onto my have to have list. Will look for a navy one instead, or they do a gingham one, that might be cool???
 
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I second MdM - medical cards on arm not leg! I think medical cards on legs look very amateur *ducks and runs for cover*

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But I always go off to events by myself and no matter how hard I try I can never get my medical card to stay on my arm properly, I always end up wearing it as a bracelet so have resorted to leg!!
 
I wrap the Velcro from my arm band around the shoulder part of my body protector. I find it is most comfy there. Just double check your rule book when it comes to make sure everything is legal. Have fun!
 
ears pricked - any recommendations for a dark grey, slightly browny, but mostly grey jacket with a navy (almost black)collar

sorry - diverting here into fashion accesories, but would a light blue/navy ginham one look ok as per the cool equestrian range?

Can ya tell i'm excited!!
 
Yes - why would you put it on your leg - V PC I think ... (wearing armour plating so dont have to duck;- just my opinion)

Remember you will need your number bib too - ensure the straps are all "inwards" and not flapping about "outwards"


I always think oldschool is cool anyway - westrops and clarendons never did me or horses any harm.. Guess we have just moved on a little with the times..

I still wear my grandfathers hunting stock and shirt eventing nowadays as its lucky and longsleved... verging on threadbare!
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I wear mine on my leg so
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I took my annoying shoulder pads of my BP which had a medical card holder in it and it annoys me on my arm and slips so it goes on my leg now! I dont care what people think!
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So many questions......

Most have been answered so I won't duplicate things but I know there have been a lot of mumblings from BE officials about competitors wearing their ARMbands on their legs. If too many people start doing it, I can forsee a new rule coming in. Please wear it on your arm.
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As long as you and your horse are comfortable and safe, a lot of what you wear is common sense and personal preference to a degree. If your horse is comfortable in the clarendon boots /westropp boots, then leave them be. A first event is not the place to be trying out new things. You will suprise yourself at how fiddly things are when the adrenalin is up, new and unfamiliar items of tack do not go down well!

I personally don't use overreach boots at all.

Check out your rule book when you get it for dress code.

I query whether impulse spurs are allowed? I am sure others will advise you on that one.

Believe me when I say, the majority of competitors are far too concerned about themselves to give a jot what you look like!!
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Enjoy
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I have found the velcro digs in under my arm and chafes as it rubs on my bp (short sleeved tops), round my leg I don't notice it. I have just ordered a new one though with my day ticket, so we'll see how that goes when it comes. Will go with comfort on this one.

Most of my jumping stuff is about 10 years old because I lost confidence jumping big time and didn't do it for about 10 years. then something clicked and we are away again, therefore all my stuff is in really good condition, but a little dated if you know what I mean. I don't want to look very old fashioned!

F x
 
jingers, bit of a leg arm debate going on here. Thanks for that on impulse spurs KatB, I think I'll get a shopping list together.

F x
 
I haven't competed at BE for well over two year now, but have been watching carefully in the mean time - so although I will return to it as a much rustier rider than before, I am now well versed on the most fashionable outfits
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You only need to tag your XC hat - which of course should be a Gatehouse HS1 to imitate the pros. Showjumping hats anything seems to go, but dressage the standard headwear is the Beagler - which whilst vastly impractical and offering little in safety protection has 3 important virtues - 1. patey sponsor plenty of events, 2. prevents you looking down for the fear of it slipping off and 3. sends invisible but obvious message to the judge that your horse is calm, trustworthy and sane, and that you are a seasoned eventer whose head is invincibly hard from the years of XC abuse. Obviously.

Spurs are allowed in dressage at all levels - seem to be used more often than not. Rubber ended ones are fine - there are rules re. the length of the shank etc. which can be found in the rulebook. Of course the pros wear said spurs around all 3 phases
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Very rarely are you allowed to take your jacket off - which will of course be tweed, and certainly not blue tweed which is reserved for the amateur. I think brown tweed looks the nicest, but green also passes - nothing too loud in the way of checks, those are for showing enthusiasts and not eventers. Stocks are coloured - spotted/checked - brown/cream spot looks nice with a brown jacket, tattersall check can look lovely too I think.

There are no rules re. shirt sleeve length - you can actually go cross country in short sleeves should you wish - I often did, as I don't ride particularly well when I feel like I am boiling to death... and not riding well means more risk of falling off.. and thus in my dodgy calculations I figure short sleeves are no more dangerous than long ones.

Breeches should be cream or beige, not white, when combined with the tweed jacket.

And for the fashionable horse you will need the below :-

Devoucoux jumping and dressage saddles
Elasticated 5 point breastplate, cos holding the saddle on in two places just isn't enough
Full set of leather tendon and fetlock boots for showjumping
Full set of prolite event boots for cross country (in all seriousness, I do think these are great)
airflow nose breathing things
Grakle noseband in all phases, required or not


In all seriousness though, it honestly doesn't matter what you have on... in general the more understated the better - applies to horse and rider. BE events are much friendlier than other disciplines in my experience, and no-one is really worried if you breeches and jacket have a colour clash
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Mistakes I have made since I started BE (!).

Get there early - everything always takes longer than you think (especially if they decide to check passports when you collect your number).

Dressage - DEFINITELY don't forget to drop your whip or take off boots - they can eliminate you. Check and double check that you have learned the right test!

Try not to get stressed if you end up warming up next to a big 'name' - I used to find it really distracting!

If the SJ collecting ring looks busy, it is worth wandering over and checking what system they are using (or you can get stuck for ages). Some events follow the list of numbers (and sometimes run very late). Others keep a list on a blackboard like BSJA - worth knowing which it is before you tack up if there are a lot of people around.

Other SJ mistake is doing a 'Bettina' - sometimes the start gates are really wide and a long way from the first fence!

XC - an obvious one (that I got wrong as recently as this year!) count the fence numbers when you walk the XC and double check against the schedule. Beware of the innocuous little fence tucked around a corner somewhere!!
 
Premier equine air cool boots are meant to be very good. . .

Mine arrived this morning. . .got to send the hinds back as they didnt fit him but cant wait to take him out in the next thursday
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have lots of fun. . .as long as your comfy. . .dont worry to much
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I'm probably wrong seeing as how lots of people are saying they wear their medical armbands on their leg, but I thought you weren't allowed to have it on your leg incase a rider got trapped beneath a horse and the medical details couldn't be seen because horse was on top of leg. Unlikely scenario I know but not impossible.
 
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