Couple of Questions (hunter/western)

I may show my gelding a couple of times at an open show (and I mean really open Saddleseat riders ride in the same classes and hunter, and a couple ride there halfies in dressage apparel) about an hour away from my city and I'm wondering if a couple of things would be appropriate- or not.

1.) For Hunter should I go out and buy tall boots or would I be OK with using my black paddock boots and half chaps?

2.) My gelding is a Saddlebred and, he 'in frame' is differently then Quarter Horses, which is most of the other competitors... Do you think it would effect our placings as much even though we're the same discipline and same apparel?

3.)For attire, I'm wondering if anybody knows of good places to get possible tall boots (if have too), and breeches. I haven't worn breeches in awhile and Also, I am wondering if they come in a more modern look, I guess they look partially like pants (straight or flare) legged and are just able to be put in boots as well. I know that sounds odd, but the ones that are tight at the ankle bother me and don't feel very comfortable, so I have been riding in Saddleseat Jods or my Jeans.

4.) His mane, is cut...short I'm hoping before next summer its longer but right now It looks like its growing out from being roached so its bad... I really don't want to do a mane pullings, since Saddlebreds and Arabs I noticed for hunter do running braid is there any good videos on how to do so?

5.) Also its is a Western Show the 2nd half of the day, I know my boy is fine in a curb at Walk/Trot. I thought about doing a class or two of that depending on how he's feeling at the end of the day- But does of anybody know of really good western saddles that are decent for open shows but also decent for day to day trail riding?


Thank you very much. =]

For one show, clean paddock boots and half chaps would be fine. If you are going to continue to show in that particular type of class, then go out and buy tall boots.

I have seen breeches in a yoga (long) pant type cut, but they were for kids. You might be able to come across them though.
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Yes riding a Saddlebred under a Stock Horse Judge will affect your placings but do it and have fun anyway :) I ride stock horses but my best friend rides and shows a Saddlebred. Also used to judge... just telling you what she told me. Of course, she is always happy when the judge is a non stock horse judge :)

Yes, exactly.

Go, have fun, do the best you can do.


I agree that in this type of open show your half chaps with your clean paddock boots should be fine. No reason to buy tall boots.

Do you have any friends with a western saddle that you can use for the show?

I hate to sound likes this but in the horse world.. I really don't have any friends. The only friend I really somewhat had was my geldings old owner, and I don't think she's happy with me moving cause she's been ignoring me at the barn.

I know at that particular show that Saddleseat Academy riders would get placed 1-2 places lower because they used martingales, and in Academy you can do that but in Hunter you can't. At least this show alot of the judges are like that- even though really a hunter could if they wanted to, its really that open of a show.

I also know I got blesssed with my boys darn adorableness and Judges when I shown him for fun shows (jeans and tshirt shows) Judges *loved* him and about half the people thought he was so cute. I don't think they knew that he was exactly a Saddlebred. He in his headshots of him I have does look slightly Thoroughbredish, but in the full body you can def. Tell he's an ASB.

Another thing I plan on trying to do with him is Showmanship with him if I go, obviously since its mostly Qh's they do leather western halters with chain leads, now... If I do ride him mostly english should I get more of an english looking leather halter? Or use an english bridle?


Obviously I didn't learn much showing when I went to shows with a barn. XD

I would assume that the rules in a hunter under saddle class are pretty much the same at an open show as they would be pretty much any where else. In that case, no, a martingale is not allowed.

I would say if you want to use one then you ask the judge or ring steward before the show if they are allowing them.

It is silly of the saddle seat riders to not ask that before simply doing it. I would guess the class is called Open English pleasure or such. The term open means it is not an academy class. That means academy class rules do not apply.

My boy is fine without a martingale, if I show, I plan on not using one anyway. Right now I only use one for schooling and that's a once and while when he feels like being stupid.