Looking for my fisrt hat hoping to show at AQHA and WES.

What the best type of hat thats nice quality but not going to cost the earth, and should I go for Straw or Felt ?

well it depends on whether you want the hat to last. i would recommend a good felt hat or straw, it also depends on your outfit colours too and the colour of your horse too.

I have a bay and a palomino I have a mixure of sand colours and black chapps as well as sand. just trugling to find a small size as I am only 6 3/4 and most hats start at 6 7/8 or a size 7.

i can certainly understand the problem of finding a small hat! i had the same problem last year as i too have a small head. i found a hat at arizonas so it might be worth ringing them up at the mendip stud to see if they have any and if you are near enough go and try some one.
good luck
rosie

I sympathise Land Girl - I've got a tiny head too! Managed to find a straw hat to fit quite easily, struggled more with a felt one.
In the end I splashed out on a Hobby Horse one from Rhinestone Clothing - it was pricey but sooo gorgeous and flattering! If you have a small head you've probably got a small face too, so you need to try on lots of hats to find one that really suits you.