I don't ride, but I have a good friend who does dressage.

I've been to her events and there are usually vendors there, that you can buy gear directly or place orders at the show. Perhaps you could attend a large show and check out the vendors?

Try Rod's Western Wear online. They also have a catalog. They have all kinds of western wear, boots and tack and their prices are pretty reasonable and they have frequent sales. For local shows, a clean pair of jeans and a nice, long sleeved western shirt will do.

Here's one site that may help......

Here is a link that might be useful: Western

:)

Do you hold the reins up through your left hand (like a fountain) or down through it (so the bight trails back over your left thigh)... sorry, I presumed you're right handed!

Do you hold your "free" hand across your waist or do you place your free palm on the corresponding leg?

That oughta give you an idea of how long ago I used to ride stock seat ("western").

Dressage is a wonderfully rewarding pursuit... but once you've ridden a reining horse or a cutting horse you really begin to understand the fundamentals Xenophon espoused over 2K yrs. ago!

I hold them up through my left hand to fountain over to the right and I hold the extra on my right thigh.

Is that not how it is done anymore??? My lessons have actually been two handed with a snaffle bit.

I've never ridden Dressage but I had approximately four years of hunt seat over fences lessons in my late twenties/early thirties.

Now in my forties and having been injured in a severe car accident and being fat I decided to ride Western again.

We ride English. We buy our basics at Horsetown, and they sell both English and Western. Ask your instructor for referral to a similar store in your area. They can advise.

State LIne Tack catalog - all about riding and styles and ideas will be current.

Western wear shops are not usually about serious riding and showing.

Here is a link that might be useful: State Line Tack

My sons grew up in 4-H riding and showing Western. We also showed in local club shows and one state association. They rode quarter horses and POA's. We live in the Kansas City area and have sevaral western stores within 30 miles. I would not buy boots or hats online---the fitting process is too individual. Same with the saddle---too many different sizes. Apparel for most of the shows in which we participated ranged from new western cut jeans, western shirts, scarf ties or string ties, and straw/felt western hats. Some folks wore home made apparel---especially in adult/child classes---Lead in for instance. We took a Saturday trip to St. Joseph, Mo. to the Stetson Outlet and bought hats at 1/4th to 1/3d the retail price.

Some folks had $20,000 horses, $5,000 saddles, and $300 outfits---in the same class with $1,000 horses, $500 saddles, and home made outfits. The hi dollar horses were generally 'push button horses'---trained by professional trainers and only ridden by the entrants in the ring. Those horses often won in Pleasure classes---which are judged with 80% of the points on the horse. Horsemanship classes---with 80% of the points coming from the riders ability could be won by one of the $1000 horses---most of which were owner trained with help from a pro or knowledgeable fellow owners.

If you are going to schooling shows---we put on some of those---I'd recommend clean jeans, a simple long sleeved western cut shirt, boots with a riding heel---versus boots with a walking heel(flat, short, no taper), a ribbon/string/scarf tie, and a western hat. Light colored hats are cooler, straw are cooler than felt.

Riding style is usually reins in one hand which is held low to the side of the saddle horn or directly over the horn, The free arm/hand is positioned with the upper arm straight down, the forearm at a 90 degree angle to the upper and in front of the body, with the hand cupped naturally.

Snaffle bits(O or D ring) used where two handing is necessary were basically training for young horses. Entrants entered classes to accustom the young horses to the competition and the atmosphere. All the actual judging was on horses with shanked bits and one handed control.

Yes, I agree with handymac now that I think about it - i never buy clothes or shoes online but you can see what styles and clothing options are out there.

I ride English so I would just go to the English riding shop in the city - not sure how you'd do it for Western.

I bet Western stuff is cheaper in general though i started out with the cheapest English stuff too.

Switch back to English - your horse will thank you. Use it as an incentive to lose weight if that's what you wish. I ride English with overweight people, though. LOL

vicky

I don't own a horse, I'm riding my instructor's horse. I am enjoying Western and looking forward to learning reining, team penning and gaming. My Western riding as a child and teen was all on the rail. The barn my instructor works for is low key and fun. Lots of older adults with first horses or rediscovering horses when their children take lessons or are in 4-H. A much more casual and relaxed atmosphere than the barns I took English lessons at.

Western tack and show clothes are not any cheaper than English. The problem I'm finding with the clothes and boots is that many people wear Western clothes for fashion and not for riding and tack and Western wear shops have both mixed up together. I have asked clerks at two different stores (including the one my instructor sent me to) what are casual show appropriate boots but they didn't know. They don't ride. Many of the boots I'm seeing don't bear any resemblance to what was appropriate when I rode Western before. Ditto on the websites. I would not buy boots or clothes online unless I had tried them on in person.

Thanks for the information.

My daughter rides English and we occasionally purchase from Dover Saddlery catalog. They have a sister company that specializes in Western. Most of my daughter's tack and attire comes from the tack supply store where she rides.

Here is a link that might be useful: Western

I would look for a pair of roper boots. They are ok for casual showing, not too fancy and not too expensive. The brand I like is Justin. Look for a leather sole that is relatively thin. Stay away from anything with a thick, crepe or treaded sole, like the Ariat Fat Babies they will hang up in the stirrup. Heels should be at least 1-1 1/2". What kind of boots are you wearing for your lessons? Can you just polish them up? Also boots should be a half to full size larger than your street shoe and should feel big on your feet. That way if you fall of and hang up your foot will come out of the boot and you won't be dragged.

It's been years since I've ridden, but I initially learned Park Seat (Morgans and Saddlebreds), then went to Hunt Seat, riding Stock Seat only occasionally.

I have to say, if I were to get involved again it would be either Park Seat or Stock Seat. Probably the former, since I have always had a keen interest in driving, too. And it's common for horses in Park Seat circles to have been trained to drive, too. (That's how they begin training the Lippizzanner stallions for the "haute ecole"; which are actually tactical maneuvers for the battlefield).

I love to read, and as a teen read Xenophon's words on horsemanship (inspired by Alois Podhajsky and his books on the Lippizzaners). I "got it"... all the seats are based on the very same foundation; the only thing that differs is the tack and attire. Settlers moving west were stunned and shocked by the ease with which the Plains Indians sat their horses and hunted buffalo!

Riding is a great way to keep in shape. Good for you!

You've just got a little case of stage fright;~) Don't psyche yourself out over clothes and boots. My first show was a long time ago, but I still remember the feeling I had to have everything perfect. Fashion isn't all that important at the little local shows. Have you been to some shows in your area? If so you know what look is current. If you haven't you need to scope out some shows before you enter. Some areas of the country are more sophisticated and others are very casual. It makes some people feel good to sport really expensive tack and gear but that won't outshine a good ride. Go with the most basic in clothes and tack and add/upgrade as your showing gets more serious. Don't expect perfection from yourself or your horse in the first shows. The kind of polish you want only comes with miles in the saddle. You'll do fine, you're there to have fun so stop worrying and decide no matter what, this is gonna be fun.

After a class, I usually couldn't tell you what the rider was wearing or what bridle she had on the horse. But I can tell you everything about how the horse moved.

I haven't been to a horse show in at least a decade and that one was English only. I have not been to a Western show in over twenty years. I had planned on attending a few over the summer but work and home life got in the way.

I was just trying to gather information. I was very confused after going to several stores and looking on the Inet. Slinky? what the heck is a Slinky? I am after a solid colored very basic Western shirt. I'm sure many riders have closets full but I have never dressed Western outside of a show ring. Not even during my Urban Cowboy days which were very brief...

Ariat Fat Babies and other crepe soled boots are what the salesladies tried to sell me. I knew they were not appropriate for any show ring. I didn't find any "normal" cowboy boots in the ladies section at all. I will look for roper boots by Justin.

I am wearing Steeds sports shoes for my lessons which are leather tennis shoes with hard rubber heals. I bought them years ago when I was taking English lessons because I could not afford leather boots. I have rubber English boots as well but neither will work for a Western show.

Here is a link that might be useful: steeds

Buyorsell, I just looked at your location. I think some different ideas would be helpful. We sponsored 9 horse shows a year for about 20 years. Some were local 4-H shows, some were larger shows for our saddle club, and one for a regional (Northeast Kansas) circuit.

Over time our shows became to be regarded by trainers and other folks as a stepping stone process by which advancement in riding ability could be guaged. If the person placed well in the 4-H sponsored shows(the show classes were basically the same in all three types of shows---but the level of expertise increased) they would then attend our club sponsored shows. Doing well th=ere indicated an advance ment to the circuit shows was the next step. From the circuit shows, people often advanced to AQHA show---the big time.

We had a rather loyal following who attended all the shows---for fun, companionship and practice. Trainers loved our shows for training young horses---our arena was 300 feet long and 120 feet wide.

Now, as to clothing. It depends on the class and how the rider wants to dress. A simple long sleeved western shirt, tie, western hat, jeans, and boots will be just fine for Horsemanship classes when you want to find out how well you ride. Reason for that is simple---a judge has seen hundreds or thousands of riders dressed in fancy clothes and plain clothes---and should be looking at the judging points and not the garb of the rider. A good rider in plain clothes will be much more noticeable than an average rider in fancy clothes. Example---one of our sons was required to enter a Horsemanship class he did not like. He did not do his best riding and the judge chewed him out(This was a schooling show and we asked our judges to comment on how the riders did so they had some good feedback). That judge had a particular riding style he wanted to see---so when our son went into the next class, he rode with that riding style on the side of his body facing the judge---meaning he changed sides with the ring direction. He placed in that class and got a kudo from the judge.(Our sons were quite experienced showmen by then, however)

As you get experience, you will see what the local trends are and it will be easier to 'fit in'.

Oh, one more story. We put on a circuit show----our shows often started at 8AM and did not end until 8PM---and had a fellow show up to show in a Pleasure Class.(80% point on the horse) Circuit members often has $20,000 horses, $5,000 saddles, and dressed in chaps and vests along with the shirts and such. This fellow had well used chaps, a well maintained by used saddle, scuffed boots, a plain Western shirt and hat.

He won the class( about 30 horses in that class, as I recall)---and almost every circuit member was impressed with him and the horse.

So, learn what you need to know to ride well and don't worry about clothes yet.

buyorsell888,
The Steeds look nice. In my experience, though, they are about the same price we pay for English leather paddock boots. Just wanted to post this for FYI. I know some English boots can run higher, but nice ones can be found for under $40. The way my DD's feet grow, I'm very glad of that. I buy a bit on the big side, then try to get as many months out of one pair as I can.

I have the Steeds already, I've had them for years. :) They have held up very well. Mine are all leather.

What I need is a pair of Western boots and I was asking for help because what I see at local stores are for fashion, not riding.

A pair of Justins---plain leather in a color you like---with a riding heel should be available even in 'fashion' stores. If not, try the next city---a weekend or day trip might be fun and informative.

I barrel race, sure don't worry about the clothes, and I really could not tell you what brand my boots are. I am definitly no clothes hound, I wore a pair of tommy hilfiger jeans that had seen better days to the all horse parade, no snickers from anyone, just ohhing and ahhing over the horses.
This may sound odd, but if you have any tractor supply type stores in your area you might try them for clothes and boots.

Maybe this was mentioned, I can't read through the replies now......a few months ago, my sister (Australia) bought a nice pair of Western boots off eBay for a reasonable price. Pre-used = broken in :), and in good condition. The vendors tried hard to supply enough measurements. Originated in US, of course, but sold locally. That inspired me to look in the same place but the prices rose for our winter. Ended up with a pair of roping boots for $A50: as luck would have it, they fit HER but not me.

We have done a swop for now but both pairs are destined for use in mustering cattle. Sorry, I don't have the brands at my fingertips and I haven't gone back to eBay since to see what the market forces are.
Rose