Why is turnout such a big issue?!

Some great comments here.
Totally agree its how you look after your horse, not just the preparation the day before. my lot often get comments about how well they look, just as if they are ready to go to a show every day. Baring in mind they are my teenage daughters lot, who I am sure dont even know where the brushes are kept, I am usually surprised by this!
As for competition turn out I love getting dressed up, so do the girls unfortunatly we do smetimes look as if we have joined 'all the gear no idea' crew, I like my ebay bargins so we can look as if we have spent more on our get up than our nags!!!, but again 2 gangly teenage daughters, with holes in their hairnets can soon spoil the look! at least we try!
 
I've just got back from helping at a small, members only riding club dressage competition. Nearly everyone had plaited and wore black/blue or tweed jackets. They all looked as if they had made an effort and I was really proud for the club as we used outside judges. Keep it up Witheridge Riding Club members!
 
There is nothing i hate more than seeing a horse out even if it is just on a hack that has stable stains all over it and dirty legs and tail. Understandably in winter it becomes more difficult for me to wash my horses tail and legs everyday when it is freezing but her tail is really thick and she has white legs and suffers from mud fever so we have to be very careful hence us keeping her feathers on. They can get very mucky especially in winter months but i get so much more staisfaction out of seeing my horse clean, tidy and all trimmed up. I take pride when people tell me how well and clean my horse looks, with the majority of her white i do bath her to get all the stable stains out and just add that extra sparkle but i always keep her to the level of cleanliness of if we had a show tomorrow it would just be a quick wipe over and we would be ready. As for riding and turnout i think it looks awful when ridersturn up looking scruffy it doesn't do the horses look any favours even if they are immaculate. Personally i think it is so nice to see a horse and rider well turned out and i personally would hate anyone to think me and my my horse looked a mess in a competition even on farm rides or XC schooling, even if i know she will come back dirtier than she went i can guarentee she will go into that box white and i will go in clean jods, jacket shirt, clean tack and polished boots etc! I do have slight OCD though regarding my horses colouring lol
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If feeling hard done by wearing a jacket for a dressage test.....in a big showing class say at the International with 25 plus horses you can be in the ring in full gear for one and a half hours easily......you may only be sitting there most of the time or even standing with the horse but with the sun shining down it can get a little warm! However the stewards and judges are out there for several classes and they continue to wear their suit and bowlers. Though as I said before may the tradition long continue.
 
there are very lightweight tweed and dark jackets on the market, i have both. i also have cropped sleeveless shirts so i can be as cool as possible for as long as possible while warming up. i always wear a jacket, even when allowed not to, because i think it looks smarter. having done a 3* test in top hat and tails in 35 degrees with no breeze at all abroad, and survived, i can cope with the heat of an English summer!
 
I'm afraid I am very finiky when taking my horse to comps he is a VERY light grey (white) and I always get comments on how clean he is and how smart we both look,,,,, It just goes to show people DO take notice.

My yard has a show tomorrow...just for fun (although its really competitive and people do take it VERY seriously)....both my rides have been bathed one plaited (doing the grey tomorrow) and both will be turned out in smart tack, I shall also be wearing light jhods and either a smart top or stock shirt and jacket....it looks more professional and its nice to show the same effort and appreciation to the organisers as a competitior as the people who have worked hard and organised the show. (of course a report will follow)
 
It's all about taking pride in your appearance and horse - and at PC level good horsemanship imo.

There are plenty of lighter weight jackets and breathable shirts that can cope with these boiling British summers
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I also enjoy the plaiting and cleaning ... ... ... to a point that is!
 
I like my tweed jacket! This winter, I wore it over an undershirt under a long-sleeved shirt, and a v-neck sweater, and was toasty warm. ATM, I wear it over a long-sleeved shirt, and it's just right. In the summer, I'll wear it over a short-sleeved shirt. I don't think it's possible for the weather here to get hot enough that I can't bear to wear my jacket for all of five minutes!

That being said, I have nothing against the idea of changing conventions such as new styles of tops or different ideas about plaits---as long as the new conventions still involve taking pride in one's turnout and being respectful to the occasion.

My pony lives out 24/7 and certainly didn't get a bath all winter. He was very furry, but a well-brushed sort of furry!
 
I think the jackets issue should be rectified not everyone has a horse box and I hack to shows - I don't have a back up person in a car and on a hot day with my tweed on it is very uncomfortable - equally on a cold day it is very cold even with thermals on.

I think if it is very hot we should be allowed to ride in shirt and a tweed waistcoat still nice and smart but more suitable for conditions.
 
Because we have standards. You can wear a black/navy jacket for most classes, which tbh are light if you get a light one, and the rest of it is sensible for riding-johds and boots..hence the attire!
 
Its not a "cant be arsed attitude", I have made the effort to get my horse to the level Im competing at, have paid my entry fees etc. the horse is always tidy by way of its not plastered in mud however I disagree with having to wash my grey horse for every single event which is what WOULD need to happen since he lives out!!

I agree that clothing needs to be smart for competing BUT I think its far from practical. Hacking jackets dont have much stretch for example - whereas my BSJA jacket (the new style ones) is way better, it stretches, has high tec fabric and is also shower proof.

MissDeSummer - I see your coloured looks very clean. However, did he live out 24/7?

Im sure some of you CAN keep your horses immaculate daily, however Id like to see you do this with 5 horses who all live out 24/7 and with a full time job! My horses all look healthy and happy, they ALL receive basic care of course and the best feed etc. Just because they have a grass stain on their neck, who cares?! The horse couldn't care less. I always wear a hacking jacket for dressage, always plait the mane (if not a native) etc. my horses are all trimmed etc.

Booboos - Totally agree with you. IMO, showing respect is done by being polite and on time (often this seems to be overlooked!) - I always thank helpers and am always on time.

Sorry, but I hate tradition. Im a big believer in modernising our sport as I think it is still thought of by most as stuck up and old-fashioned. The high standards we set should purely be with the way of riding and nothing else IMO!
 
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