i just bought a burgundy sj set- jacket and boots and stuff and now i'm hearing everyone saying that teens wearing that just look try-hardy- thoughts?

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tilly_hay-bailes

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I've done flat showing and dressage most my life and recently decided to start sj, burgundy is my fav colour and i think it suits me and my horse really well and it seemed like a pretty common colour so when i saw that there was a lot of burgundy jackets for sale i had to get one! now i'm reading on horse and hound about people saying that teens who aren't child prodigy's wearing colours like this just look like they're trying to look like these show jumpers that i didn't recognise the names of and are just trying to hard- i had no idea this was a thing and I've missed the return on the burgundy stuff now but i'm worried if i wear it out with me and my horses extreme inexperience ill just get a bit judged? - people said when they see them they just assume that stuff?
what do you normally think when you see teens wearing burgundy and do you think its fine?
thanks!
 
Nothing wrong with burgundy. Multiple sets of co-ordinated jacket/hats/numnahs/bling in children who will out grow them quickly smacks of something unpleasent to me, can't think of the right word just now.
 
I didn’t know you could even buy competition jackets in burgundy. I’m in my 50’s and grown up just on blue and black. My horse would really suit a burgundy jacket, I think I might look at getting one now, as long as they are not all really short. Anyway, now not only do you have people looking at you thinking you’ve no idea what you’re doing, you have now inspired an old lady to dress like you. 🤣
 
myheartinahoofbeat said:
I didn’t know you could even buy competition jackets in burgundy. I’m in my 50’s and grown up just on blue and black. My horse would really suit a burgundy jacket, I think I might look at getting one now, as long as they are not all really short. Anyway, now not only do you have people looking at you thinking you’ve no idea what you’re doing, you have now inspired an old lady to dress like you. 🤣
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who knows- maybe we should start a trend! 😂
 
I showjumped a lot from 2005 to 2022 and loads of ladies had burgundy jackets. Particularly when the BSJA allowed the sports style jackets in the ring. Fashions come round again..

My key colour for BD is burgundy and my boots, spur straps and belt are burgundy and they are fabulous- judges often say I remember it’s you because of the boots! I designed them as well and I absolutely love them. I am in my 40’s so nothing to worry about!

The only jacket colour I avoided as a lady showjumping was red- mainly because growing up in the 80’s men wore red. Later on when I was jumping we always thought that if you wore red people expected great things of you 🤣
 
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It hurts my heart when people say horrible things such as “try-hard” or “Johnnie-come-lately” when referring to what people wear.

Please ride proud in your burgundy.

In the ‘90s there was a phase where deep violet jackets were produced. I always regret not buying one and wearing it proudly. I was in my 20s and would if nothing else looked fantastic with the body I had then.

Instead I listened to crusty old bat on my yard about how classic clothing was the only way to go if you wanted to be taken seriously. Given its jumping where its sticks up or sticks down in order to win, that logic didn’t hold but I was too young and inexperienced to see it.
 
I like to see people who take pride in their outfits, it makes me smile. As long as they are nice riders/owners. Some turn up looking like it’s all about the fashion and horse is secondary! I’ve just ordered some new long boots - they’re darkish tan. I’m not convinced that they’re not a bit “out there” or “try hardy” given that I only ever hack really but the boots make me happy so there. I should have gone for black or brown but let going back to the tan. 😳🤷🏻‍♀️
 
Bonnie Allie said:
It hurts my heart when people say horrible things such as “try-hard” or “Johnnie-come-lately” when referring to what people wear.

Please ride proud in your burgundy.

In the ‘90s there was a phase where deep violet jackets were produced. I always regret not buying one and wearing it proudly. I was in my 20s and would if nothing else looked fantastic with the body I had then.

Instead I listened to crusty old bat on my yard about how classic clothing was the only way to go if you wanted to be taken seriously. Given its jumping where its sticks up or sticks down in order to win, that logic didn’t hold but I was too young and inexperienced to see it.
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thanks so much- reading these responses has got me so exited to go wear it out!
and for those deep violet jacket, I'm sure you would have looked fabulous and Facebook marketplace always has at least one of everything floating about- maybe you can go scratch that itch and prove that old bat on your yard wrong!
 
When I was competing I had a beautiful forest green jacket. I insisted on it the moment I saw it and I was the only 16-year-old with a green jacket! I can't remember any comments on it other than 'what a lovely jacket'! Perhaps there were some negative comments that I wasn't tuned in to! If burgundy is your colour, then enjoy it. As humble pie said ... the colour of your jacket isn't going to affect your riding, so enjoy it. My feeling is if you feel good in what you're wearing, you'll perform well. 👍
 
I have personally always wanted to dye my otherwise white horse's mane and tail to match my own 😂

Anyway. Don't worry about what other people think, it really is irrelevant. But if you're riding confident and happy your horse will know and their opinion does matter :)
 
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