I am shortly going to be doing my first western show & i need some advice on show clothing.

I know with english showing, if your clothing isn't right you may as well not have bothered entering!

I've noticed that most people wear black chaps, trousers & hat, i've seen a few in beige colours but only one in brown. Is there an unspoken rule about the colours you wear or is it your own preference? My saddle has got a brown seat so i was going to go with brown, but i don't want to stick out for all the wrong reasons!

Any help & advice appreciated!

You can wear whatever colour you like! Some people like to try and match their colours to their horse or show pads. I have a mare that is a light sorrel with a flaxen main and tail, so I wear cream chaps, cream jeans, a cream top, straw hat and a waistcoat the same colour as the horse (whiskey colour). BUT I also have black chaps and a black hat with a cream and dark reddish top for a change of pace.

My new horse is a palomino - but will probably stick to what I have at present.

Some like lots of bling, others more understated (especially the reiners). Lots of people wear brown; green is popular as well. It helps to stand out, draws the judges attention to you! Fancy clothes do not cover up the horsemanship that the judges are looking for, but it does get them to look at you and see the whole package.

When I first started, I wore very understated clothes, but as the confidence grows with my showing, I feel I can be a bit more adventurous. It's up to you. No one will take much notice of what you wear, but they do watch your riding - that is what they remember!

Remember to be comfortable as you may be wearing these clothes ALL day.

Good luck at your first show. Which one will it be?

It'll be the WES show @ Markfield on 17 June.
We're just doing Walk Jog Pleasure as it'll be my horses first outing.

My horse is Sorrel & my tack is light. I've got a green top & pad, so i'm kinda colour co-ordinated, just wondering whether brown would be better for me as it would match my saddle seat & would probably suit me better too.

The Hobby Horse website has an "interactive dressing room", where you can change the colour of the horse and the clothes to see what they look like on a virtual model.

Here's the link: http://www.hobbyhorseinc.com/07_dress_for_success/interactiv/index.shtml

your outfit sounds lovely - brown chaps will look nice. the reason most people wear black chaps is that if they want to buy just one pair, black is the safest as it pretty much goes with everything! good luck for your first show! 

I reckon it's more like we all stick to black because it is allegedly slimming in visual effect!!!!!!

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