Suddenly, on this side of the New Year, winter feels a lot shorter and show season feels a lot nearer. Which is awesome, except I am woefully underprepared in the equipment department. And I need your help to figure out exactly what I need!
Especially since I’ve decided on my colors! Of all the options, the one that I kept returning to was red, white and black. They’re classic, a pretty easy color to find in many different products, and those are Badger colors and U Rah Rah Wisconsin and all that.
So now I’ve started a list of all the things I’ll need to buy. Hear that? It’s my wallet crying. Just ignore it. Let’s move on, shall we?
- A coat that can work for both Dressage and Stadium. What are your go-to brands/styles here?
- White Dressage pad
- Maybe a Dressage bridle? Hoping to borrow this…and a Dressage saddle, too.
- A stock tie and pin.
- Cross country boots for Artie. Obviously in red and black. I like the Majyk Equipe ones but honestly I’m not sure if I need that level of boot just yet. What are some good options that are going to be good value (i.e. do their job well but not break the bank)?
- Black full-seats for me. I like these Smartpak ones. (Really I would like these Ariat ones but yeah I’m not dropping that kind of money on breeches when this list is already so long. But they’re so pretty. And I love the red accents.)
- I decided that if I go ahead and get the less-expensive but still-pretty-cool Smartpak breeches, I should get a red belt, so I found this C4 red and white striped one. Want. (And realistically won’t have trouble justifying it. Muahahaha.)
- A watch, maybe? I don’t know. I’m pretty sure I’m running Starter Novice so…how much will I need a watch, really?
- A pinny? Again, I don’t know. Is this something that you’re expected to provide yourself?
- An emergency info armband.
- Maybe a white A/P pad for stadium? Or do people use white fleece shaped pads? I have one of those…will I look like a total newb if I use it?
- Eventually will probably want a second pair of white breeches so I don’t have to use the same pair twice per show. But that will have to come later, like when I
find a good salehave gotten more of the required things on the list.
I already have white show shirts, a black and red saddle pad for cross country, white breeches, gloves, tall boots, a helmet and a safety vest.
Oh and I just bought this red long sleeve FITS Sea Breeze Shirt on clearance. Regularly $100 + shipping, I got it for $60 + shipping. I snapped up the last size medium in this color from Horseloverz. My love of Kastel Denmark cool shirts is well-documented but my favorite show shirt was a blue FITS one that I just sold since I need only white shirts now. Plus, I really like the contrasting patterns inside the collar and the zipper lining. Tres cute.
While I am minorly freaking about the amount of stuff I have to get/spend money on, I also know realistically I’ve done a good job of saving up for this so now I’m just trying to focus on having fun buying ALL THE THINGS.
Centered in the Saddle 
I see a ton of people that compete in Dressage in their jumping tack, especially at the below Novice levels. As long as it is all legal for Dressage, I have never seen anyone’s scores suffer. You will want a white square pad for this though.
I have this jacket in navy, which I love, but it is pricey: http://www.doversaddlery.com/tredstep-solo-pro-comp-coat/p/X1-40998/
It has reversible buttons and interchangeable collars. It is one of the only machine-washable coats I have worn that is actually flattering.
It wouldn’t hurt to have a watch at starter, just to make sure you don’t get time penalties. Plus, I find that trying to learn to use the watch gets a lot more difficult when the jumps get bigger and closer together! I need to buy a pinny too… most places don’t provide them.
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Thank you! This is such great info. It would be so nice to be able to do Dressage in my jump tack if I can’t borrow a Dressage saddle. I can remove/change the blocks on my jump saddle so that might actually be an okay solution.
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I have ridden in my four-button coat in stadium, and have since switched to a three-button coat that fits me better and ride in that in dressage and it’s just fine. I think the most important thing at the lower levels is to be neat, clean, and tidy in whatever you present yourself in.
WOOF boots are a great compromise for XC boots at the lower levels — not terribly expensive (I think I paid 70 for the full set before tax), can be customized in colour, and dry out fairly quickly. Are they as good as Majyk boots? Nope. But they have a much more appealing price tag. Alternatively, go looking for Majyk boots on ETT — sometimes you can find good deals!
You may second-guess riding XC in black breeches in the summers. I ride XC in my white full seats because hot california is hot as fuck and I do not need heat stress adding to my list. Usually I can get out any dirt stains with a hand-wash in oxyclean.
I’ve never seen a white shaped pad in stadium yet, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen! Lots of people use coloured pads in stadium at events also, or a white/black pad with coloured trim. Totally up to you.
Good luck! Don’t make your wallet cry too much.
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Thank you so much for this comment and answering so many questions! 🙂 It’s a good point about black breeches in the summer – I may switch to white. It does get pretty hot and humid in WI.
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Ecogold do good dressage pads that can be easily washed in home machine. You may or may not need a half pad depending on saddle fit. Saddle….be cautious about borrowing one. Dressage Saddles fit differently than h/j Saddles and can pinch in th shoulders or sit too wide and make the back sore so be sure youborrow one that fits really well, does not rock and isn’t too wide or too narrow. I know it sounds like I’m being picky but a sore backed horse will not want to jump or go XC.
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Absolutely! I have been riding in a Dressage saddle that fits Artie pretty well. I’m sure I’ll have to buy one eventually but I’m hoping to delay that purchase until I’m in a longer term lease or own situation.
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Absolutely! I have been riding in a Dressage saddle that fits Artie pretty well. I’m sure I’ll have to buy one eventually but I’m hoping to delay that purchase until I’m in a longer term lease or own situation. I do have a half pad to use (or not use) as well.
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Sounds like you are all set. I am looking forward to the start of your show season!
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A pinny holder is never a bad idea! They aren’t expensive (less than $15), and I haven’t been to a show in a couple of years that doesn’t require them.
I have a Kerrits Competitor’s Koat (http://kerrits.com/womens/vests-and-jackets/competitors-koat) that I wear for dressage and stadium. It’s REALLY lightweight and very stretchy. It’s perfect for competing in the heat. There are a lot of great jackets on the market, though!
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I’ve seen that one and looked at it a few times online. I think someone told me I should get a 4-button coat, but is that not really necessary?
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You are making me want to buy ALL THINGS! Even though I don’t really need anything lol. Please update once you buy so I can live vicariously.
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I will!
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I got you girl. I ride on a super tight budget so I TOTALLY get it
-For a coat I LOVE my Kerrits soft-shell. I got the black with white piping for a little pop of color but it comes in other fun colors. Best part- it’s waterproof AND washable. They’re only like 100$ or so you literally can’t beat it and they look super classy and fit so well. Lot’s of stretch and I have super broad shoulders so I can never fit into standard coats.
Dressage Bridle- Riding Warehouse has stellar deals on their bridles all the time. Bobby’s is really good
Cross Country Boots- ROMA! I swear by them. They’re only 30$ a pair and are super protective. They’re way better then woof or other cheep brands and do the job for lower levels. I’ve had mine for three seasons and they’ve lasted probably 30 events/XC schooling with only needing stitch repair. If you want color- fun duct tape is the way to go!
You don’t really NEED a watch till Novice. If you’re at a steady hand gallop at BN/S and not blasting around or trotting you’re usually fine.
A pinny- yep that’s required you’ll need one
An emergency info armband- also needed
NOnonono white fleece for SJ! You can get a standard white AP pad from dover for 10$
Hope this helps!!!
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Super helpful! Thank you so much! 🙂
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Ready for this really long comment? I used to work at a tack shop and have been showing eventing for 6ish years. OK GO!
A coat that can work for both Dressage and Stadium. What are your go-to brands/styles here? – Annie’s Equestrienne jackets are BEAUTIFUL (But expensive). I would look at the black (traditionally) Horseware Ladies Competition Jacket.
White Dressage pad – SmartPak/Dover for cheap, but there are so many nice ones out there.
Maybe a Dressage bridle? Hoping to borrow this…and a Dressage saddle, too. – there’s really no need for these at your level, borrow if you want.
A stock tie and pin. – Again, generally unnecessary, but Style Stock ones are gorgeous.
Cross country boots for Artie. Obviously in red and black. I like the Majyk Equipe ones but honestly I’m not sure if I need that level of boot just yet. What are some good options that are going to be good value (i.e. do their job well but not break the bank)? – I second Woof Wear. They work great, look good, and are economical.
Black full-seats for me. I like these Smartpak ones. (Really I would like these Ariat ones but yeah I’m not dropping that kind of money on breeches when this list is already so long. But they’re so pretty. And I love the red accents.) – SmartPak is always good!
I decided that if I go ahead and get the less-expensive but still-pretty-cool Smartpak breeches, I should get a red belt, so I found this C4 red and white striped one. Want. (And realistically won’t have trouble justifying it. Muahahaha.) – C4 is LIFE.
A watch, maybe? I don’t know. I’m pretty sure I’m running Starter Novice so…how much will I need a watch, really? – nice to have, but probably not necessary at this level.
A pinny? Again, I don’t know. Is this something that you’re expected to provide yourself? – Depends on the HT/MT, but generally you have to buy these. SmartPak has one.
An emergency info armband. – IMPORTANT. Must have armband, though investing in a RideSafe bracelet is nice because armbands WILL fall down.
Maybe a white A/P pad for stadium? Or do people use white fleece shaped pads? I have one of those…will I look like a total newb if I use it? – Generally use an AP pad for both stadium and XC (you can get one in your color if you want!)
Eventually will probably want a second pair of white breeches so I don’t have to use the same pair twice per show. But that will have to come later, like when I find a good sale have gotten more of the required things on the list. – Yup, something to keep in mind.
Hope this helps!
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Oh my gosh, SO helpful! Thank you so much!
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