New tall boots?

I was thinking of getting some tall boots for showing and stuff this year, and I found a pair that was on sale:
http://www.picovs.ca/cartdata/?conte...uct=1030360068
My mom said I could get them as a graduation present. I went and tried a pair on today and they were horribly painful to get on the first time. They were also extremely stiff. I would really like them but I have some pros and cons about getting them.
PROS
-on sale
- I need boots to show in this year
CONS
- going to be hell breaking them in
-not sure if it is worth it
I am probably only going to show beginner at some local schooling shows this year and at the previous(as well as first) show I went to some of the kids were just wearing paddock boots with suede half chaps. I was thinking maybe doing that because it would be easier to break them in and possibly cooler since I could take off the half chaps at a show but I don't feel like having to buy two more things and the lady at th tack shop said if I am doing showing then I probably shouldn't go with half chaps.
But ya if you have any experience with breaking in new boots I would love to hear about it:) Sorry I wrote so much I just have so many thoughts on this:P

I recently bought a pair of Ariat Heritage II zip field boots. I LOVE THEM. I have had them about 3 weeks and I have had absoloutly no problem breaking them in. They are super comfortable.

You probably shouldnt show in half chaps( it doesnt look as nice).

If you are having trouble getting the boots on, try a pair with a zipper. If the boots are stiff, try puttin lots and lots of conditioner on them. It works wonderfully.
You can try this website(they have a lot of sales, I got my boots 30 dollars cheaper there) : www.equestrian-tack.com

Thanks:)
Ya I don't think I can afford the ones with zippers but those are great ideas for breaking them in.

Ah, the joys of breaking in tall boots.... Yes, it will hurt. :) You will most likely get blisters and your legs will slide around when you ride. But it will be worth it in the end! (as long as you don't grow out of them too soon! Wouldn't that be horrible?). Put lots of conditioner on the ankles and the INSIDE only of the boots and wear them as much as you can. I also work the leather a little around the ankles (gently roll it between my fingers) At night fold them at the ankles (as if your heel was going way down) and put them under your bed or a coffee table or something so it stays that way over night. When you ride use something like Saddle-Tite (or my favorite, something German called.... Halfty Haft?) to keep your leg from sliding so much. It should take a good week or two of daily riding/walking to be comfortable.

I know a lot of people showing in Beginner who just wear nice half chaps with paddock boots and do well. But, if it ever comes down to you and another person in an equitation class the judge will pick the more appropriately turned out of the two.

Also, get some boot pulls and a boot jack to get them on/off! I use boot trees as well to keep them upright when I'm not riding.

Thanks this is great!
I have a boot jack already from previous years of trying to get off rubber boots and zipper-less winter boots. I will definitely get boot jacks lol. We had one heck of a time trying on boots today. You should of seen us and the saleslady trying to get off the half size too small- I laid on the bench while they both tried to pull it off while a wiggled my ankle around. Once I had the right size on I could take it off with the boots jack though.
Im soooooo excited now lol. Keep up the breaking in tips these are great!

I have a pair of mountain horse tall winter boots that I used last time because it was my first show and I didn't have anything else to wear. They are very comfortable the only thing is they are huge because in the winter I wear 3 socks including a really thick pair of wool ones, so they slip and are sometimes hard to ride in if im not wearing socks, and they will probably be really hot in the summer, but they have a zipper at the back so at least I can cool down.
Sorry Im just thinking/typing out loud:P

Does anyone find them really hot and yucky in the summer when its hot out?

Tall boots can be such a pain. They are awful to break in but if you are going to be showing I would get some. Ariats are very nice and they hold up well. The zip up kind are also nice, that way you wont have to deal with the horrors of getting them on and off. They are deffinitely worth this price. That is a very good price for a decent pair of tall boots. Ariat makes nice zip up boots for $200-$300.

Just a note:

Break your boots in BEFORE a show.. well before a show. My parents suprised me with new boots at a show once, and I was so excited (I was young) that I wore them in my next class - how stupid was that? I lost my stirrups halfway around the hunter course.. blah!! (Course I finished, but that's besides the point!)

Lol ya I don't think I will be riding in them for a while because it is still very snowy and cold here and shows don't start for a few more months. I went to get them today and I got a free pair of boot socks:)
But stupid me I forgot about the boot hooks so now I have to wait until I can go back to put them on:(