Red ShowJumping Jackets

[BitofFluff]

Hi,

Wanted to get thoughts on red Showjumping jackets... I'm just starting out and want to eventually get to BSJA. J have fallen in live with the Spooks jackets and have fallen for a (secondhand) red one... Now here's my predicament... Some people think only for international/good riders and I'm far from that haha... Other think why not??

In 2014 what are the thoughts now??

 

[Fides]

I'm a kind of 'understated' type. Wouldn't want to be one of those 'all the gear with no idea' types. My friend, who BEs to *** always says that if you dress like a pro be prepared to ride like a pro or look a bit foolish. In the 'olden days' colours were earned.

 

[niagaraduval]

I think that´s true. i think it´s best to play it safe and stick to traditional colours. Probably best to not draw too much attention to yourself to start with especially if just starting out or you may be named 'All the gear but no idea ´.


Sorry typing on my ipad it´s a pain in the arse for good grammer.

 

[niagaraduval]

I'm a kind of 'understated' type. Wouldn't want to be one of those 'all the gear with no idea' types. My friend, who BEs to *** always says that if you dress like a pro be prepared to ride like a pro or look a bit foolish. In the 'olden days' colours were earned.

Oops we were both typing out our reply at the same time!

 

[BitofFluff]

Hmmm thought as much... I'm a pretty understated type too and definitely not wanting to draw attention... However just like the colour red.

Still shouldn't it a case of ride in whatever you like no matter how good you are isn't it meant to be about fun and what you feel good in?? Doesn't matter if your a pro or not it's not all about that surely?

 

[Fun Times]

To me, red jackets worn by ladies in the sj ring either indicate: 1. You are ellen whitaker; or 2. You wish you were ellen whitaker. I know this is a naive view, but I know I am not the only one with it.

 

[BitofFluff]

😳😳seriously!!!! I've never heard that before... That is a little silly!!

 

[Fides]

Still shouldn't it a case of ride in whatever you like no matter how good you are isn't it meant to be about fun and what you feel good in?? Doesn't matter if your a pro or not it's not all about that surely?

Traditionally 'colours' are earned, now they are bought. It takes the prestige away from those that have earned it and makes those that haven't look a bit silly. IMO of course

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

oh gosh as long as its within the rules i would go for it whatever makes you happy!

i dont SJ any more, only do dressage, but if i was SJ i would absolutely have an electric blue jacket,matching pad, stirrups, blingy hat, the whole ensemble and i would love it and not really care what other people thought!

 

[BitofFluff]

Thanks prince33! My thoughts exactly!!! I wish I had never asked now as the post has made me a little angry! Haha...

Why shouldn't they be brought... Surely you earn the right to wear whatever colour you like by reaching your own goals and overcoming your own hurdles to get to where you are no matter what level!?! Some people may never be able to 'earn' wearing a red jacket but over come a lot more than those who actually 'earn' it.

But of course that's my opinion...

Well I've been totally put off the Red Jacket.....

 

[Lolita]

If you want to wear red, wear red. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

 

[smellsofhorse]

You asked for opinions and say you are an understated type.

You can wear red but I agree they should be earned.
So go for it if you want but remember you asked for advice and got it so don't be so defensive of the replies.

 

[Tern]

To me, red jackets worn by ladies in the sj ring either indicate: 1. You are ellen whitaker; or 2. You wish you were ellen whitaker. I know this is a naive view, but I know I am not the only one with it.

You are indeed not the only one.

 

[Loulou2002]

Look Bitoffluff pretty much anything goes in BSJA now. I went to Patchetts recently and there was a girl wearing a cerise pink jacket. Not my choice to be honest but she obviously likes it.......i have a Animo in beige, but the point is wear what colour you like as long as its within the rules.

 

[BitofFluff]

Smells of horse there was nothing defensive about my replies I'm just a little shocked it's still like this even in 2014... However everyone is entitled to their opinions and thoughts...

And the Ellen Whittaker thing I'm not sure why she's the only one who's allowed to wear a red jacket but again other peoples opinion and their entitled...

Thanks all for your replies much appreciated!

 

[Fides]

One thing to remember is that in order to 'fit' in, people normally conform to traditions. Those that don't get sniggered at behind their backs. If you want to make 'friends' conform, if you don't care then where what you want... Horsey people can be mean so don't be surprised if you overhear a few 'all the gear with no idea' type comments.

Personally I do think it is sad that we are losing our traditions to those who have the same views as you that anything g can be bought, regardless of tradition.

And it's 'bought' not 'brought'...

 

[Fides]

Smells of horse there was nothing defensive about my replies I'm just a little shocked it's still like this even in 2014... However everyone is entitled to their opinions and thoughts...

And the Ellen Whittaker thing I'm not sure why she's the only one who's allowed to wear a red jacket but again other peoples opinion and their entitled...

Thanks all for your replies much appreciated!

Because she is amazingly talented and has earned the right to wear red

 

[BitofFluff]

Granted but so are other lady riders too

 

[BitofFluff]

Hang on a min Fidles that is a little rude... I was wanting opinions and thoughts not attacks!!

I'm going to rise above your comments as you don't know me or my views on things you have only read 1 post so gives you no right to judge... I'm just giving another view to the situation and by no means do I think success can be brought I was just giving a different spin on things.

And the spelling thing... Bit pathetic and a low blow! Don't you think!

This was only my second time posting and i don't think I'll be coming back

 

[slumdog]

I just bought a red whitaker jacket to jump BS but then I broke my leg before I even got chance to wear it. I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks, I like red, I like the jacket. Unfortunately I've made the decision to give up BS for dressage so I'm never going to wear it but if you like red then go for it. Life's too short to care what other people think!

 

[Fides]

Hang on a min Fidles that is a little rude... I was wanting opinions and thoughts not attacks!!

I'm going to rise above your comments as you don't know me or my views on things you have only read 1 post so gives you no right to judge... I'm just giving another view to the situation and by no means do I think success can be brought I was just giving a different spin on things.

And the spelling thing... Bit pathetic and a low blow! Don't you think!

This was only my second time posting and i don't think I'll be coming back

Sorry spelling pedants are a bit of a forum thing - as a new person you probably won't know that yet...

I wasn't attacking you, I was sharing my opinion which is what you asked for. OK, not mine personally but...

I don't compete - I hate the the fact that in order to fit in you have to comply, the cliquey ness and how hard it can be to make a good impression if you DO want to fit in and make friends. I don't like the whole atmosphere of it all - I get my joy from backing and bringing on youngsters and leave the competing for those with a bit of a tougher skin than me. I'm sharing my experiences, not necessarily my views.

IME if you wear what you want, rather than what you traditionally should, you will get sniggered at. In my case it was through lack if knowledge at the time. If I had known things weren't seen as appropriate at the time I might have chosen my kit differently.

What I am saying though is now I have more experience I can see why traditions are made, and how it is nice to move up through the ranks and deserve it. I should imagine that it is quite satisfying. But too many people throw money at things now rather than working for it.

So on the basis of one post, you have judged me, based on my experience rather than my opinion. The negative experience that I was trying to save you from. I wasn't being rude...

 

[Daytona]

Don't give a flying hoot what anyone thinks.. If you want a red show jacket go get yourself one.

I would not even look twice at you at a show with a red jacket, I've more important stuff to concentrate on rather than another competitors gear , I would assume most others would be the same.

At my local BS show ground you see all manor of coloured jackets, red, bright blue, pink.. Gosh some even have horses in bright red bridles, no one gives a hoot.

I've never heard people making comments behind people's backs etc so god knows what that's all about. It's 2014 and BS is colourful and blingy so embrace it

 

[slumdog]

Don't give a flying hoot what anyone thinks.. If you want a red show jacket go get yourself one.

I would not even look twice at you at a show with a red jacket, I've more important stuff to concentrate on rather than another competitors gear , I would assume most others would be the same.

This^ I'd be too busy trying to stay on/remember the course to judge you on your show jacket lol! Eventers in tweed on the other hand...

Plus I don't care about fitting in or making friends. Don't get me wrong, I'm smiley and chatty and I'll try and be helpful if someone asks me a question but in the nicest possible way I'm there to beat you not be your best friend so I don't care if I'm popular or I'm in the 'in-crowd' lol

 

[BitofFluff]

Don't see how I judged you Fidles but lets just leave it there!

 

[dixie]

Don't give a flying hoot what anyone thinks.. If you want a red show jacket go get yourself one.

I would not even look twice at you at a show with a red jacket, I've more important stuff to concentrate on rather than another competitors gear , I would assume most others would be the same.

At my local BS show ground you see all manor of coloured jackets, red, bright blue, pink.. Gosh some even have horses in bright red bridles, no one gives a hoot.

I've never heard people making comments behind people's backs etc so god knows what that's all about. It's 2014 and BS is colourful and blingy so embrace it

This.
I don't think people snigger behind backs regarding different coloured jackets, there is so much variation nowadays. I, for one, like the change in tradition rather than the stuffy black or blue. Having said that I wear a black treehouse air jacket, my choice.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

i dont think for one sec you would get laughed at for wearing red,pink,blue, pink, orange, anything! the popularlity of Animo has meant all colours go, and all colours are seen and nothing is particularly unusual now.

wear what you like, as long as it conforms to the rules

i have gold aluminium stirrups and some people love them and others hate them, so what....i love them and i dont care if others dont.

lifes too short

 

[SpringArising]

My friend, who BEs to *** always says that if you dress like a pro be prepared to ride like a pro or look a bit foolish.

First time I've heard this, and love it. Too true.

Just out of interest though, how would one 'earn' the right to wear a certain colour? How would that work, hypothetically? It does seem a bit school playground.

 

[Fun Times]

Just out of interest though, how would one 'earn' the right to wear a certain colour? How would that work, hypothetically? It does seem a bit school playground.

I think (but could have misremembered) that under previous rules you could only wear a red jacket if you had represented your country.

 

[Fun Times]

Smells of horse there was nothing defensive about my replies I'm just a little shocked it's still like this even in 2014... However everyone is entitled to their opinions and thoughts...

And the Ellen Whittaker thing I'm not sure why she's the only one who's allowed to wear a red jacket but again other peoples opinion and their entitled...

Thanks all for your replies much appreciated!

It was me that first raised the Ellen thing so I feel I ought to reply to this. Firstly you did ask for people's thoughts on red jackets and I gave you mine. That they don't accord with your thoughts is fine but I do feel some of your subsequent posts have been a bit rude. Secondly, Ellen is a very well known and recognisable figure in the SJ world. When she first came out riding in a red jacket, it became very much her signature "look", no doubt helped by the fact that she is a very attractive girl. As a result, (rightly or wrongly) that look is often associated with her. My point being if I went out dressed like Beyonce I would have to be prepared for the consequences. If I posted on here saying "what are people's views of me dressing like Beyonce" I would like to think a few people would have the wherewithal to point out I may look a bit of a tw&t. I am not, of course, implying that you would look thus in a red jacket, simply trying to more clearly demonstrate my point.

 

[Tern]

I think (but could have misremembered) that under previous rules you could only wear a red jacket if you had represented your country.

No that was navy jackets with red collar I think.