Hello everyone!
This may be an odd situation but I am itching to get opinions on a situation I am in.
At the beginning of this year I was got the opportunity to start riding as an exercise rider at the racetrack near me. I come from a hunter/jumper background, so I prefer to ride in breeches.
Back when I started I would receive multiple comments from both men and women that I should ride in jeans. Polite, but often very backhanded comments. I would usually just respond politely and laugh it off, not really unstanding what the issuse was. While I did notice I am the only one who wears breeches, I didn’t really see why it was an issue to ride in the clothing that I’m comfortable riding in. At the end of the day everyone has their preference on riding attire and come from different riding backgrounds.
These comments have become less frequent but every now and then someone will tell me that if I want to start being able to ride for more trainers I should start wearing jeans. I don’t understand why my ATTIRE vs. my riding ability would have anything to do with that.
Today, a fellow exercise rider who has become a friend of mine made a similar comment and told me that everyone at the track talks about me and my breeches and how they are inappropriate and distracting. He said that since this is a different style of riding I should wear what everyone else wears.
I am honestly just looking for opinions on whether I should just adapt and wear jeans or if other people think it’s ridiculous that I’m being treated this way - as far as unessarily sexulizing common riding attire. I just PREFER to ride in breeches and it’s frusterating and offensive that I continue to receive comments. It is not just a few people, it seems everyone feels the need to tell me I should wear jeans.
I understand this is a unique question but I appreciate your thoughts and opinions!
How very interesting. I prefer to ride in breeches, hands down!
The fact that they are considering it in appropriate in a sexually tinged nature is even weirder! Are most of them men? the exersize riders?
It's not as if you are wearing a miniskirt! If they are going to have gutter imaginations, they will likely do it whether you wear jeans or breeches.
Being breeches are usually more form fitting than jeans...yes, on a predominantly "male" oriented backstretch I can imagine the comments made and looks received.
Jeans are usually looser fit, hence not as much comment or looks although some looks and comment will follow you ...
So, if it is "jeans" style pants they want, then give them jeans style pants.
Breeches come in jeans material, stretchy but look like jeans....
It shouldn't be this way but it is... :|
I would go to the boss and ask if there is a problem with you riding/working in breeches and go from what the answer is...
You get all kinds working the backstretch....... :|
I did not exactly "fit-in" with many hence my enjoying working the training farm and R&R barns more. Very different environment than track backstretch that I was exposed to....and yes, I worked in jeans and loose-fit collared polos everyday both at the track and elsewhere.
:runninghorse2:...
Jeans are usually looser fit, hence not as much comment or looks although some looks and comment will follow you ...
So, if it is "jeans" style pants they want, then give them jeans style pants.
Breeches come in jeans material, stretchy but look like jeans....
It shouldn't be this way but it is... :|
The jeans that my friends and I ride in over here are the really really stretchy kind that are as form fitting as jodhpurs and would go inside riding boots, I can't really see why an employer would prefer jeans, unless it as part of a corporate look.
I guess some breeches have a different colour seat area and that does draw attention to the "seat" :smile: and can look different if no-one else wears them.
It's usual in every single everywhere to have an unwritten dress code. It's the way humans identify those of their own tribelet. I've found it everywhere I've ever been and everything I've ever done, from a Zen monastery to a quilting bee. It has nothing much to do with practicality.
Wearing breeches in a situation where jeans are the dress code is, whether you want it to be or not, a visual signal that you are either a neophyte who knows no better, an outsider with an unknown agenda, or a rebel (then mix the gender issues in ...). If you continue to wear them and eventually earn respect and acceptance in other ways, you'll just be known as "the gal who is a little different but she's okay despite that." You'll still be identified by your odd clothes though.
People who think that they can wear anything they like because it is what's inside that counts are ignoring thousands of years of human nature. For good or evil, it just doesn't work that way.
When I rode on the tracks several gals and a couple guys rode in breeches. I got a hand me down pair from a friend and loved them. So comfortable and durable.
Now I ride on jeggings, mostly. But I have a lined, winter pair of breeches that I use in late fall and early spring when moving cattle. With shotgun chaps over them, and western boots that have 18" tops.
Talk about mixed up!
Do what you want. At least those making rude remarks are making it easy for you to know you don't want to waste your time with them
As Avna said every set has a dress code, actually they also have codes of how to interact and act as well. You can ask your boss but IMO better to fit in than stand out in this situation. There are jeans that are comfortable for this type work and there are also breeches made from a stretchy denim like fabric. I'd find something that conforms more and do your job. My uncle races and he'd tell you its a distraction. You also wouldn't be riding his horses. He wouldn't tolerate disrespect towards you from his employees but you wouldn't be riding his horses. That may not mean much but when there are more passing over you if this is the way or one way you put money in your bank it could mean you'll find your paycheck doesn't really increase. There are other tracks in other areas that it may not make a difference or that a breech style is the goto. Each track has its own culture. It's the same around here on the polo fields. I never knew they had specific pants to wear. That is the uniform. I've seen a couple wearing jeans but the standard is the light (tanish) polo "jean". It may be totally different over in Florida but not here or maybe this is just this outfit but they're huge. Even with the number of English riders and English riders that do their exercising for money to pay for lessons. They're cut for riding, stretchy, and not form fitting. Discovered them when my son refused to wear breeches. For years that is what he rode in for lessons. He loves them. Now one of the nephews has taken them over and won't give them back. He was riding in them around the house. One of the girls that used to tease him now rides for one of the outfits here and she won't wear anything else unless she is in the show ring.
You're there to do a job. Do the best job you can and wear what's standard. If there weren't comfortable alternatives that were acceptable and that was the only thing you personally could ride in or you couldn't perform your job then another story. Those polo pants fold over nicely and don't cut in to your leg in tall boots or half chaps.
In the UK most of the lads wear jodhpurs and short boots.
Ask your boss and if he doesn't mind, tell them to take a run and jump!
When I was in a race yard I usually wore my coloured jods all day. Some of the lads were quite 'forthcoming' about this but as I pointed out to them modern jods were way easier to wash and dry than jeans - which I have never found comfortable for riding.
Ask your boss as with what others have said. If it's not dresscode standard, this just sounds like a typical case of workplace bullying and typical conformity by some unwritten rule everyone feels pressured to follow. The usual with us humans. Especially if the folks you interact with have been there for a while. If it really bothers them or you- why not wear jean-breeches. There are places that have boot-cut ones as well.
I personally hate wearing jeans when riding, but if I suddenly started riding where jeans were common, I'd go for breech-jeans/jean looking breeches instead. If jeans aren't a dress code depending on what you're boss says, the only thing standing in your way is your comfortability around such people while wearing breeches. It's a sad standard- you can be the best of the best at something but the shallow thinking types want to look at your clothes. Such is life.
Color also draws attention. That can compound things when clothing fit (form fitting) is being discussed. Looser/non form fitting lighter color would not attract as much attention or the same manner of attention as the same in a formed fit. Darker or same material look in a more form fitting garment not drawing the attention of the lighter counter part in the saddle.
I couldn't ride in jeans, not even 'jeggings', which are what I wear as jeans. :lol: Just not as comfortable as leggings or breeches IMO.
I would continue to just wear your breeches. If anyone says anything again, just say 'this is what I'm comfortable in, thank you though'. or something like that.
Confirm with your boss too, but if they don't have an issue with it...then keep wearing them!
Thank you for the replies. I’m glad there are others who too don’t see it as an issue.
The particular trainer I ride for doesn’t have a problem with it and when I brought up the things other people were saying she said “if their comfortable and they work for you that’s what should matter”. I feel that in general it has been a hard industry to get my foot in the door with. I have enough consistent work with the trainer I ride for, and am now her main “gallop girl”, so I have proven that I have a place there and have the ability to stay around. I don’t necessarily need work from other trainers, but I walk around daily to other barns and ask if I can ride for them because that is what I’m told you do when you first get started to get a solid place and career, as it is technically freelance work at the end of the day. A few trainers occasionally allow me to get on their horses but most tell me on a daily basis that they don’t need help. I’m sure this has more to do with it just being difficult to earn your place versus my attire, but some of the comments or “advice” people give me can be as casual as “yeah you just need to wear different pants if you want to ride for other trainers”. It’s just STRANGE to me.
It’s 2019. The notion that women should be objectified based on what they wear, no matter what they wear, is an outdated belief and I consider myself an advocate of that. To continue to adhere to those outdated standards is to allow that belief to still have power. Especially in the wake of the “me too” movement, it’s time women stand in their power to not be treated like sexual objects. While my main reason I have continued to wear them rather than just switching to jeans is because I prefer them and don’t like riding in jeans, there is a stubbornness in me that wants to set an example as to not conform to a misogynistic society. Especially when I don’t feel that they are inappropriate in any way. After all, riding racehorses is more similar to English riding than any other discipline and breeches are pretty much standard as being functional and comfortable in that discipline. It should be up to the discretion of the rider as far as what works for them! Jeans, breeches or shorts for that matter.
It does almost feel like bullying in a way. While there are many friendly people, there are also a lot of catty women who treat me as if I continue to wear them because I want to receive that kind of attention from the men. I don’t. I’m just trying to come to work and get the job done.
There is no set standard for uniform and if I’m going to be the talk of the town for not conforming to the norm, so be it! I’d rather work hard and earn my place through ability, even if it’s harder that way, than ride for a trainer that wants to sexualize something that shouldn’t be sexualized in the first place.
Since I grew up around the tracks, I know what you're getting. Remember, it may be 2019 out in the rest of the world but it's not far from the early 1900s in most track barns. You're a female riding in a male world, that BARELY tolerates women on the backstretch. If you want to wear your breeches, go ahead. But word to the wise, you will continue to get comments and inappropriate suggestions regardless of what you wear, and breeches will just leave you open to more of them. You're working in a rough, man's world, I'd really think about how important those breeches really were to me if I were you. The track is known as a very rough world for a reason and you don't want to look weak or off in anyone's eyes as a matter of self preservation.
I'm sorry, but it's not a woman's problem if men are "distracted" by a particular type of clothing. That's what's gotten us into the societal mess we're in now. If the boss doesn't have a standard, required dress code (which should have been communicated at hiring), to each their own. Your value to the team is the way you do your job, not what you're wearing while doing it.
Thank you 👏🏼 I don’t care if it’s still a man’s world at the track it’s about time they make a shift like every other male dominated industry. If the men are so “distracted” that it affects their ability to work effectively that should be on THEM
You still wear them and ppl will talk. You conform and people will think you're weak. I think you come across as self-aware enough to make your own statement which is you put horsemanship before attire. In fact, whenever someone makes a comment about it respond "ability before fashion is my opinion" along with "It's other peoples problem if they are immature enough to sexualize me while I'm doing my job, wearing clothes designed specifically for it" and "the horse doesn't care what I wear". They might never admit it but it will get them thinking. People will often say what others want to hear in their little gangs. It might cost you some work but in the long run your reputation will precede itself. Whatever your assets, you might it'd even help in advertising with your quirk. "This person is a bit strange but they really know their stuff". Plus side is people who pick you up knowing this probably have the right kind of thinking. If anything I think it's an admirable quality for someone not to cave into petty opinions such as these. Breeches no problem. Seriously... one place I ride the instructors are in a bikini top, shorts and flip flops under a huge standing umbrella. It's totally out of the ordinary but people get over it fast when they realise how sharp and serious she is. One guy riding said there was room for a threesome on his horse and she kicked him out. Very crass.... Don't hesitate, outright claim your human-right to comfort!
The backstretch on the track is still in the dark ages regarding women in the workplace, so you have to decide if 'this is the hill to die on.' Your boss is fine with it, and if you're ok not getting other rides, then keep doing what you're doing. If you want the opportunity to ride for others, you'll need to wear what everyone else is wearing. No, it shouldn't matter, but it does. So you need to decide if you want to have the ability to move up in your job, or if you're ok with your clothing holding you back. It may be 2019, but it's still 1919 at the track.
Jeans are awful for riding in. The seams rub you raw unless you buy jeans made just for riding.
I don't care for breeches either.
I ride in shorts with half chaps most of the time. Unless I'm showing. In the winter, I wear cotton pants from Wal-Mart. Nice, comfortable, easy to wash. Cheap to replace.
My favorite riding pants ever were made of cotton rayon, spandex - black dance pants. I tried replacing them and they were $200. So obviously I didn't buy more. Those were the most comfortable riding pants I've ever had. They are completely faded with holes in them but I refuse to retire them. I just don't ride in them in front of others. I keep checking ebay in hopes of finding some reasonably priced replacements.
I did not read all the comments, and I am not overly familiar with race tracks (actually, my knowledge is extremely limited) but I can see where if you wore breeches and tall boots to a Western trainer and asked to ride for them, may raise some eyebrows. Even though functionally, breeches are fine to ride in, of course.
Same if you showed up in jeans and cowboy boots to a dressage trainer. Does that mean you have any less ability to ride just because of the riding outfit you wear? No. But what you wear DOES make an impression about you, whether it is good or bad. One could argue (and people do) that what you wear you should not have an impact on what others think of you. But it does.
Ultimately if your boss is OK with you wearing breeches, I would not sweat it too much.
I can see where if you wore breeches and tall boots to a Western trainer and asked to ride for them, may raise some eyebrows. Even though functionally, breeches are fine to ride in, of course.
Same if you showed up in jeans and cowboy boots to a dressage trainer. Does that mean you have any less ability to ride just because of the riding outfit you wear? No. But what you wear DOES make an impression about you, whether it is good or bad.
I think this is very well said and relates to many professions. If a lawyer shows up to a meeting in ripped jeans and a hoodie, while it may not affect their ability, it does leave a bit of an unprofessional impression. The same goes for if they show up ready for the red carpet.
While the term 'distracting' may have been used and that is incredibly inappropriate, would you not find a ball gown at a business meeting distracting as well? It is not okay for you to be sexualized by your peers and what you chose to wear does not reflect at all on your riding ability and skill set however, every type of work setting does have a dress code whether it be an official one or more assumed and in any profession it is important that you dress appropriately.
This all being said, it is up to you what you do with your body and what you wear. You boss said that it is okay for you to wear your breaches and that is what your prefer to ride in so that's great! Just keep in mind that any work environment is a professional environment meaning that no matter what you wear sexualization and harassment is not acceptable, but also that it is important to respect the setting in which you are working.
I think riding in jeans is so uncomfortable. My daughter took a western class that wanted her to wear jeans and after one day she said she's rather quit than wear jeans. So she quit that class. I don't know, I agree you should ask about the dress code.
I like the saying "What you think of me is none of my business".
If you have a cute butt, they are not going to be happy unless you wear a burlap sack so continue on with what you are doing being as the person who writes your paycheck is fine with it.
Wait… What?! WHOA! I am completely confused. Do you mean to say that where you live riders at racetracks wear jeans?! Do the jockeys wear jeans? How can that be comfortable? I mean, you're not sitting on their back, right? So how can that even be possible?
I have never in my entire life ridden in jeans. Nor have I ever seen a jockey/track rider in jeans. So, are they wearing cowboy boots, too? (HA, HA!) Sorry, I just find it funny.
What I DO NOT find funny is the insinuation that breeches are innappropriate attire because they are somehow provocative. And, as a woman, I would never, EVER, modify what I am wearing based on this sort of 'peer' pressure. However, I am sure that these are not your peers but just a bunch of old farts who are gettin' all hot and bothered looking at a young woman. Pathetic.
Keep a serious/stern face. Let them know that you are there to work, because they are questioning your professionalism. You are not there to make friends. Show them what you are made of, and you will earn their respect.
And then buy them all a pair of pink breeches for Christmas.
Wait… What?! WHOA! I am completely confused. Do you mean to say that where you live riders at racetracks wear jeans?! So, are they wearing cowboy boots, too?
I'm a little surprised at the comments of jeans being uncomfortable. I ride in them all the time.
Now traditional, thick 100% cotton work style jeans yes, I wouldn't like riding in them. They have no stretch and the seams are bulky. But there are all kinds of different fits and materials for jeans nowadays. I like the thinner jeans with just a little spandex. I have some "boot cut" and some more form fitting like leggings. I find them both comfortable and I never have any sort of rubbing or anything.
Now I "just" trail ride so I don't post or do tons of trotting or galloping around. So maybe that makes a difference. But I have never really had a problem finding comfortable jeans. I'm a plus-sized rider and usually get my jeans on clearance at places like Walmart or Kmart, so not even any special brands. :shrug:
I really can't believe the OP is getting flack for riding in actual riding attire. But I guess people are weird that way!
No she's not, she's wearing chaps. I would bet there are jeans under them.
A friend of mine put herself through college riding in the mornings at the track and still works horses for a couple of trainers. Every time I saw her, she was wearing jeans with or without chaps-- chaps if it was cold, or she was working a colt out of the gate as they protect your leg a bit if you get slammed around. I just texted her about whether she would ever wear breeches. Her response (minus the expletives, lol).
"NO. Nobody wears breeches to work horses at the track. Nobody. You just don't. The only people in breeches at a race track are the bugler and sometimes the outriders on a big race day. Even the jocks will wear jeans in the mornings. Wearing breeches to breeze horses is not going to get you many rides. It's hard enough being a woman on the backstretch. You don't make it harder for yourself just to prove a point, because it won't happen. It is what it is."
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