Emergency shopping

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BackRidingAgain

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Hi all, as a newbie I apoloise if this is a recurrent question, the search function ran to so many hits that were not relevant that I decided to post instead.

Situation, 2 very new learner riders boy and girl 10 and 12. Mum (me) never hit the show circuit as a child rider - knows very little about show etiquette in terms of dress standards - internet searches are inconclusive.

Short riding holiday next week at local stables - I have suddenly become aware that they might need different gear than their standard 'learning' togs for the end of event shows: Very small show jumping course - clear round type, small cross country course, schooling/dressage type riding in a ring.

No time to ask the stable for advice - emergency shopping done, however with a couple of days to spare I'd welcome a look over what I've managed to get for them in case I've made any bloomers that need putting right, esp. on the thorny issue of colours:

Black jodphur boots, beige jodphurs - good for all events? They do have long black boots if these are better!

Quarter coloured cross country tops - good for cross country I hope! LOL

White school collared shirts and horsey ties - dressage and show jumping?

Body protectors - decided to spring for these now - kids seem keen and I wear one - they should now wear for all events and training - yes? Over or under other clothes though, does it matter?

Whips - everyday plain ones - for all events?

Gloves - black wollen pimple palms - OK for everything?

Hats - they have modern plastic coated ones, not velvet, daughter has brown son has black I hope these will do for everything as they are all they have?

Now Jackets - I assume they need these for show jumping and dressage/schooling event - in the absence of any thought process except Ouch these are pricey esp. after the body protectors! I hit ebay, purely because the size and price was correct I've ended up with two plain black ones - I'd welcome any thoughts on whether these will do? I know they would have probably been better off with tweed, but the black ones came up in time so I got those.

How have I done at short notice please, will my kids get laughed out of the ring or do you think they will do?

Any thoughts on what I could improve on for next time would be welcome.
 
Sounds absolutely fine!

A good tweed jacket will do all disciplines. Do they wear chaps? I'd advise getting a little pair of suede chaps or ensure the jodhs have an elastic that goes over the boot.

Is it skull hats they have? You can get quite cheap different colours for them.
 
If your local stables are anything like the ones I've ridden at they'll be more than adequately kitted out! When kids are doing the walk/trot tests or clear round jumping or pony club days they tend to wear the smartest they've got and nobody gets too stressed if its totally correct or not
 
Many thanks all for the votes of confidence.

They don't have jockey skulls - I got them Belstar riding helmets - adjustable hard foam shell and outer plastic coverings. The safety standard seemed as good as it gets and for beginers who were only at the 'suck it and see' stage they were fairly inexpensive.

I would have gone for tweed coats if they had come up first, but two black jackets were all I could get in a fairly suitable size in a hurry without paying over the odds for something that might not get a lot of wear.

However, they have both got top notch body protectors - I broke my back riding bareback at age 20 and have used one every since!
 
Hope you all have a wonderful day, pictures please and dont forget the baby wipes for tears of joy, sweaty faces and hands and melting ice cream after all the hard work :)
 
I am sure what you have got will be fine, and some of those things will be useful spares (e.g. Jodpurs, boots) during the holiday anyway. So long as they have made an effort I am sure they won't feel out of place. So long as they have made an effort they will not look out of place, and no-one will be laughed out of the ring anyway.

During my teenage years at riding schools I participated in many similar sounding "camps", and in general, only ever wore a shirt and tie (with body protector over the top for jumping) with jodpurs (of any colour) and long boots, and whatever hat and silk I happened to own at the time. I also wore similar with a cheap jacket to local shows, and no-one ever told me anything was wrong and were more than welcoming. One of the riding schools also ran "showjumping" during the summer, but correct turnout was not required, and the emphasis was on getting over the jumps and having a good time. Normally, everyone is very nice and suportive!

Personally, I prefer riding in short boots as they are easier to get off, and you can get some very reasonably priced half chaps, which may be something to consider for the future.
 
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