| Have you ever noticed that the western show clothing | | | | a recommendation to improve your overall picture. |
| at a horse show seems like a mounted fashion show? | | | | You want to have the bottom half of your western |
| There is so much variety in the styles and colors that | | | | show clothing blend or flow with the top half. A |
| exhibitors choose it can be difficult to decide what | | | | western pleasure blouse or jacket may cut you off at |
| works best for you. | | | | the waist causing more attention to be drawn to one |
| Fashions for western classes seem to change every | | | | half or the other. During a pattern you want to minimize |
| year and it can be difficult to keep up with the Jones', | | | | your rider movements which may distract from the |
| especially if they are on horseback. By keeping a few | | | | overall picture. If you are competing at a higher level |
| simple rules in mind for the classes you plan on | | | | show, smaller details like this can make a difference in |
| showing in, and you choose colors and patterns that | | | | placing. |
| are flattering the whole process of picking the right | | | | For example, if you tend to have difficulty keeping your |
| outfit is much easier than it seems. | | | | legs still while riding, a pair of light color chaps might |
| Below we will be discussing a few of those simple | | | | emphasize this aspect of your riding. I recommend |
| class guidelines and recommendations you should | | | | going for a solid color base for both bottom and top. |
| consider when picking out your next piece of western | | | | Preferably darker colors to minimize movements. You |
| show clothing. | | | | will see riders with lighter colored chaps, I have even |
| What Outfit Do You Need For Showmanship & | | | | seen white chaps. You need to be pretty solid in your |
| Halter? | | | | riding to pull off white chaps in horsemanship. |
| Both showmanship and halter classes require you to | | | | What Outfit Do You Need For Pleasure? |
| show your horse in-hand. This means the two of you | | | | You can have a little more fun with your western |
| will be up close and personal with the judge, well | | | | show clothing in a western pleasure class. This is the |
| depending on how well mannered your horse tends to | | | | class you will find the brightly colored blouses and |
| be. | | | | jackets. Some riders may even blind you a little in just |
| In showmanship, your horse is more of a prop and the | | | | the right light. |
| judge focuses on you and your ability to execute a | | | | In a pleasure class the judging is focused on the horse |
| pattern. Since the judging is emphasized more on the | | | | and the horse's movement at the walk, jog, and lope. |
| visitor, it is a good idea to choose an outfit that may | | | | You still want your all your colors to coordinate from |
| minimize actions occurring at your hands and legs. For | | | | top to bottom, but they don't necessarily need to be |
| this reason, darker shades are typically used. You will | | | | the same color. |
| likely find lighter colors in the show ring, but keep in | | | | You also want to make sure that the colors for your |
| mind that these lighter colors tend to emphasize | | | | western show clothing continue to match and |
| movement. | | | | compliment your horse. Though this tends to be a very |
| You also want to make sure that you present yourself | | | | flashy class, there is such a thing as too much. You |
| in a solid clean line, so your pants should match your | | | | can overdue colors by adding it to your top, chaps, and |
| top to avoid cutting your overall picture in half. Two | | | | show saddle blanket. You still need to keep in mind the |
| different colors would also draw more attention to one | | | | overall picture. |
| half or the other which is not good in a showmanship | | | | What About Other Riding Classes? |
| pattern. | | | | Other riding classes include trail and western riding. |
| In halter the judge focuses on the horse. It is 100% (for | | | | These classes are both judged differently from each |
| the most part) on conformation and your horse either | | | | other and compared to the pleasure and |
| has it or he doesn't. For this reason you will likely see | | | | horsemanship classes. Western riding can be thought |
| more of a variety in exhibitor apparel. Some show in a | | | | of as similar to a western pleasure class with a lot of |
| showmanship outfit, while others will pair a halter jacket | | | | lead changes. In a trail class the horse is judged based |
| with a pair of black pants or even jeans. | | | | on completion of a pattern through a set of obstacles. |
| What Outfit Do You Need For Horsemanship? | | | | In other western classes you are still considered in the |
| Horsemanship is the mounted version of showmanship. | | | | overall presentation and completion of the patterns, |
| Again the judge focuses on you as the rider and you | | | | however the horse is also judged too. In these classes |
| may have to complete a pattern. Since the focus is on | | | | your equitation and pleasure are both brought in to |
| your equitation during the class, you once again may | | | | consideration, you can't have one without the other. |
| want to present clean lines. It is not a requirement, only | | | | |