wondering about the rules on english show clothing...

Hey guys!
I at the last show that I was at, there was this girl in the novice horse/rider devition for all the english classes, that had just a random sweater on and jodphurs and boots. I was wondering about this. Why do we wear all the proper clothing if we could get away with something like that? Also, how does the judge... well, judge the shows? I mean, how do they mark it down? Do they say the thing and then mark down how well you do it? Do they put a check mark beside the command? How do they do it? I'm talking
English
Pleasure
Equitation
Road hack
On command

Western
Pleasure
Equitation
On command
Pleasure pairs


If you know please tell me thanks!!

Was this a schooling show? Schooling shows are more leniant on what you wear....although it has been ingrained in my head to look presentable.

I've worn tall boots with a jacket and show shirt for a schooling show, but also a black under armour (winter) top with a black vest and a scarf tucked in and half chaps.

Sorry....dont know about scoring. To my knowledge, judges make cryptic notations that only they would know...

At three of four showground I've been to they were lenient on horse gear and rider wear, but I was competing in english showjumping, games etc So at my first ever show I was wearing my jodphurs, a collared T-shirt, and long gumboots that looked like riding boots(cleaned of course), for the lack of having show gear.
At one of my more recent shows I was dressed proper, in beige jodphurs, white formal shirt, black show jacket, jodphur boots and a bright tie/bubbles with matching saddle blanket (because my horse is a dark bay so she stands out well with bright colours)

I don't know much about the scoring because in the flat classes I have competed in the didn't have a clip board they just asked us to ride around in a circle at the gait they called and they picked out which horses suited/did it properly. [This is where the pet peeve of mine comes in though, last show I groomed for a friend who didnt get picked because her horse was not coloured or a grey or a palomino.

If it's between two horses for first, the appropiately dressed rider and appropiately groomed horse will place first. Presentation is half of showing.

I've been placed above people wearing jackets and tall boots when I have worn an under armour shirt and a vest in the winter with half chaps that are a chocolate colour.....

With good judging the best rider will win. As Equiniphil said, if it comes down to two people, better turn out will be the tie breaker. It shows respect to the judge and the sport to be as well presented as your circumstances allow. (doesn't mean you need the most expensive stuff) Also, just because a judge ribboned a rider at the top doesn't mean she appreciated the way the rider was dressed. I had a convo with a judge who placed a girl in an equitation class who looked like she rolled out of bed with a first. No gloves, no coat, hair down, horse was unclipped with mane unpulled. She said she was just begging anyone who looked like they cared an ounce to put in a similar trip but unfortunatley the riding was lacking that week too. I'm sure that girl thought it was just great she was capable of winning looking the way she did, but I wonder if she knew what the judge was really thinking.

Schooling shows have the most leniency, and even more so during extreme weather. There, I think neat, clean, and properly fitted are almost more important then sloppy but having the "right" clothing on.

Thanks guys!

Yes this was a schooling show.
oh okay thanks. This girl lost all her classes (there were only 2 people in the classes) and the judge was talking with her a lot and for a long time each class. I don't know what the judge was talking about, though. I just can't help wondering what it was about. She was an alright rider, exept for her horse wasn't really the best (it was a novice class anyways so that was expected), and the clothes too. I don't mean to be snoopy, it was just on my mind so I've been wondering.

4 years ago I got told by a very "rich" rider that you have! To wear equestrian show jackets. But I don't see why you can't buy cheaper jackets at a normal store . I found many jackets that look like show jacket and were less than half the price. People wouldnt notice the difference.

Ya that's true I think... Sometimes if it's really hot they let you take off your jacket as long as you have your number still on. I'm pretty sure that that's kinda rare though.

I ride in mostly hunters and equitation and I have done jumpers before.

I think having yourself well turned out and you horse impeccably groomed is a must, even at a schooling show. It shows respect for your fellow competitors and respect for the judge.

I don't even take off my jacket when it's excused.

I suppose you can wear another jacket, but you would probably have to get the seat flap put in and make sure it fit like a show jacket should. I will say that if you are looking to show in the summer, usually equestrian jackets are lighter and more breathable.