Tuxedos on Pleasure Eq Horses

[ASB_EQ_Gal]

Last year while I was riding my pleasure horse in equitation I wore my tux during the championship which was after 6:00 pm and an open eq class. At the next show we started getting the aid from a trainer with my equitation. She told me not to wear my tux on my pleasure eq horse because it isn't right. Well now I'm riding a trimmed horse but there is a chance that I may have to show my pleasure horse in a few classes in the next couple of shows and most of them are evening classes and I would love to wear my tux because it looks so pretty! When I look at pictures from other shows I always see Pleasure Eq riders wearing tuxs if they are going into an open equitation class during the evening. Why do you think she said that? Is it because we are showing at a more low keyed venue other than those that are up east or in the midwest. What do you guys think? If I were to show my pleasure horse in my open eq class during the evening should I wear my tux or my daysuit?

[rubberduck]

AS a former pleasure eq rider, personally I don't like the look of a tux on a pleasure horse. Nowadays, it's become quite popular, so it's acceptable to do it if you would like. For me, a tux just looks more appropriate on a trimmed horse. It completes the stylish, formal picture. Pleasure eq wasn't intended to be that formal. JMO.

[rider]

Tuxedos on a pleasure horse are OK in open equitation classes only. The real warning I have for you is that if you show a trimmed horse in equitation any time this year, then you will not be able to go back to pleasure eq. in the same calendar year---you'll have to stay in open equitation even though you are riding a pleasure horse.

[ASB_EQ_Gal]

Oh ya I knew about that rule. The thing is I have to qualify for the USEF Medal class next month and there is a chance my trimmed horse might not be ready to do that pattern and Bubba, my pleasure horse, is able to do patterns well.

I would just stay with my daysuit but I have my Three Gaited class a few classes after my eq and it would be nice if I didn't have to change and I can still wear my tux in my Three Gaited class.

[wstrngrl]

Actually there is no such rule for Pleasure Equitation as a whole.

The only rule that mentions anything like that is for the S&B Medallion and UPHA Pleasure Challenge Cup...

If you intend on competing in either of those, then you can to ONLY show Pleasure horses the entire year.

There's nothing that says if you show a trimmed horse you can't show Pleasure Eq.

Unless it's an "unwritten rule" or it's buried somewhere in the rule book that I can't find (if so, would someone please direct me to it!)

[Renae]

And lots of horses with manes are shown in saddle seat equitation by riders in formals- Saddlebred park horses, National Show Horses, Arabians, Half-Arabians, Morgans along with Saddlebred pleasure horses. If it is an open equitation class there is absolutely no problem with it.

[GraceMorgn]

Canter-

I must tell you that I find your post extremely rude and uncalled for, especially aimed at a junior exhibitor. ASB_EQ_Gal simply asked for a clarification on a rule. She wanted to know if she was able to show a pleasure equitation horse in an open equitation class in a tux after 6:00pm. The simple answer is yes.

Whether or not you believe it is appropriate or not is of no real consequence. Saddlebreds in western and hunt seat used to be taboo as well...

ASB_EQ_GAL did not imply she was going to win anything, just that she was showing in two classes close together and she was trying to avoid changing habits.

The only one implying anything is you; that you are somehow better than her because you have changed outfits in a session and done your own bun. You are obviously much better than the rest of us.

I apologize if I have offended you. You were just......

*ASHLEY*

[canter]

Hi, you had posted that Bubba, your pleasure horse, is equitated, however your trimmed horse isn't quite there yet from what I gather.

Also, you said in your post that you are competing in the only qualifier that you can for the American Royal in the "USEF Medal" class. The ASHA Medal finals (and I could be wrong), are at Kansas City American Royal.

The "USEF Good Hands" finals will be held in Springfield, IL this year at the Main Event (previously held in Harrisburg, PA). Once again, I could be wrong. Judges, tear me a new one here.

Either way, I am sorry as I apologized in advance in my previous post to you as I do again for 'hurting you'. Good luck to you.

I was expressing my feelings that only a trimmed/roached mane horse should be shown in a tuxedo after 6:00 pm, not a pleasure horse with a mane. Both American Saddlebred classes. Also, if this is a qualifier for either final, you should abide by the attire required by the rules of the USEF or the ASHA for its class, whichever one you are entering.

I just don't understand how five minutes of your time changing clothes is going to hurt you mentally, only help you in the growing stage of horse show competition. You have all the help you need and all the practice at home to get there. Five minutes should not interfere with each class. Clear your mind and get on with the next ride. It's a minor part of creating a good rider/trainer.

Again, good luck.

Grace Morgan: If this is an "open class", then the rules are open. She replied that this was a qualifier for 'The Royal'. I'm sorry if you think I'm rude when I apologized to this person (and she is a 'person' old enough to post here) over and over, then I am sorry.

My opinion is: Only a trimmed American Saddlebred horse should be shown with a rider wearing a tuxedo after 6:00 pm in the evening. End my discussion here. Have a lovely evening.

[mskyar]

Also, you said in your post that you are competing in the only qualifier that you can for the American Royal in the "USEF Medal" class. The ASHA Medal finals (and I could be wrong), are at Kansas City American Royal.



I am sure you are aware that the AHSA (American Horse Show Association, which it was in "our" day) no longer exists under that name, it is now the USEF (United States Equestrian Federation), so the medal she was talking about is what used to be called the AHSA Saddleseat Medal.....which has the finals at the Royal...and the "Good Hands" is the one to be at Mane Event this year, since it's no more at Harrisburg. (and I think you accidently inverted the ASHA (American Saddle Horse Breeders Assoc.) and AHSA, the horse show one, but we can contribute that to "a senior moment"!!!)

I also prefer a suit on a horse with a mane....but if it is an open eq class she might fit in better with a tux, rather than being the only one in a suit.

[wstrngrl]

Canter -

There is no "ASHA Medal Class"

It is the "USEF Medal Class" (previously the AHSA Medal class, but then the American Horse Show Association changed names to United States Equestrian Federation)

The *NHS Good Hands* class is going to be held at the Mane Event show in October, so I have heard as well. But ASB_EQ_gal is not talking about that class.

She is talking about the USEF Medal class, which as far as I know, is held at the Royal.

[canter]

Thank you for the correction Mskyar. It was the AHSA and now the ASHA. I'm looking at a framed poster on the wall celebrating the 100 years of the AHSA and did indeed have one of those. Much appreciated.

And to Amanda's correction too. Please continue with the subject question regarding attire.

I will leave my opinions out of this forum from now going forward.

[ASB_EQ_Gal]

Thank you Ashley, and thank you Canter for explaining your argument. I am trying to qualify for all of the finals held at the Royal which include the USEF Medal and the UPHA Challenge cup. This show I am talking of is the only one that has a USEF Medal class of all the shows we are able to attend, which is therefore the only time I have a chance to qualify for that particular final. The medal is considered as an "open" class so if I truly wanted I could show in my tux on my pleasure horse from which I learned from this discussion.

The Good Hands class you are talking about is NHS Good Hands. USEF puts on the Medal final at the Royal.

[Jrchloe]

I do just want to say that Shannon is a bad a**. She works and trains her horses with her mom's help on the weekends. She and her mom do their own thing and are quite successful. She is not one that sits and waits for her horses to be brought to her. So if she doesn't have time to change its because shes getting off the horse to put it in the stall after their class and then gets the other horse ready to go into the next class. Maybe we should not assume to know someone.

[Renae]

It was the AHSA and now the ASHA.

No. It was the AHSA (American Horse Shows Association) and it is now the USEF (United States Equestrain Federation).

The ASHA (American Saddelbred Horse Association) has nothing to do with it.

The USEF Medal class is open to riders on any breed or type of horse, not just trimmed Saddlebreds.

[vlayne]

I do just want to say that Shannon is a bad a**. She works and trains her horses with her mom's help on the weekends. She and her mom do their own thing and are quite successful. She is not one that sits and waits for her horses to be brought to her. So if she doesn't have time to change its because shes getting off the horse to put it in the stall after their class and then gets the other horse ready to go into the next class. Maybe we should not assume to know someone.

Hear hear. Just because someone has time to change THEMSELVES doesn't mean they are ALSO untacking one horse, tacking up a new one, AND warming it up... sometimes time is limited, especially for those without the resources others might have.

I was able to go from a saddle class to a driving class five classes later, WITH THE SAME HORSE, IN A DIFFERENT OUTFIT, only with assistance. But I did it.

If I hadn't had someone to untack and retack my horse, and help me hook him, I would have shown him in the driving class in my suit. As it was, I was able to look like a million bucks in the driving class. :)

Good luck Shannon!

[ASB_EQ_Gal]

Thanks you guys! I probably will need to talk to the lady that helps me with my equitation up there who said she doesn't want me in my tux if I show Bubba. I might have to sway her a little haha. It's not against the rules!

Tiffani - This next show I have my western pleasure and my country pleasure right after the other, I'm going to have to be doing a whole wardrobe change then. I'm pretty sure I'll be pulling my hair out but we've got a plan of action to make it work haha!

[SaddlebredMom]

Tiffani - This next show I have my western pleasure and my country pleasure right after the other, I'm going to have to be doing a whole wardrobe change then. I'm pretty sure I'll be pulling my hair out but we've got a plan of action to make it work haha!


Apparently there's a need for riding attire held together by velcro hook-and-loop easy-on/easy-off fasteners -- à la The Incredible Hulk!! :D

Shannon -- Good for you for trying to work things out and plan in advance as to how you can accomplish all you need to do and stay within the rules at the same time. That shows level headed thinking and a good bit of maturity. Have great rides -- in all your outfits and your divisions! :thumbup1:

[vlayne]

Thanks you guys! I probably will need to talk to the lady that helps me with my equitation up there who said she doesn't want me in my tux if I show Bubba. I might have to sway her a little haha. It's not against the rules!

Tiffani - This next show I have my western pleasure and my country pleasure right after the other, I'm going to have to be doing a whole wardrobe change then. I'm pretty sure I'll be pulling my hair out but we've got a plan of action to make it work haha!

I've done that! Wear your jods under your chaps, and your riding shirt and tie under your western jacket. Pretty quick to change that way and you don't have to struggle with taking off/putting on pants when you are hot and sweaty!

[TrotAdmin]

First I would like to apologize to the original poster for the mean-spirited comment that was directed her way. I have deleted it.

Second, if the rest of you could edit your posts to remove references to that comment, that would be great and allow the thread to flow better without the negativity.

Thanks so much!

[attafox]

Shannon - try changing from full parade outfit bling to a tux for riding a Friesian for the next class. That was fun! With as tight as parade outfits are, no room to ride with two pairs of pants on!

We also did a parade horse (with silver glitter hooves - complete with the glue on the feet) to an English pleasure horse in 4 classes. That one I will never repeat - it also entailed having to go back to the barn because of the feet. No ringside tack change. Oh yeah - we did that with just two of us.

[Renae]

Yes, I have doen western and saddle seat classes back to back. I wore my jod boots, jod pants, shirt, tie and suit vest in both classes. Add chaps and western hat, switch to suit coat and derby. Western number on the back of the vest, english number on the coat :)

[wstrngrl]

I once changed *completely* from saddle seat to western in the span of a gate hold with about 20 seconds to spare.

I showed our Show Pleasure horse in Adult Eq and got 2nd (first one out the gate! :p); went back to the barn. Mom unbridled him, then bridled Sam; while I completely stripped every piece of english clothing off and put my western stuff on...

Mounted up, had only the time it took to get from the barn to the out-gate (which wasn't far) to 'warm-up'; and went in....

That was a Working Shatner class, which I was asked to show in because there were only 2 entries and it wouldn't be help if there weren't atleast 3. I had maybe 6 classes to memorize the pattern, while getting both horses ready.

And we won the Working class :D

Usually I do it like the others have said, jods under chaps, english shirt, vest, and tie either under the western jacket or AS my western outfit. Then just a matter of switching hats, and adding or removing chaps and jackets...

I had to change completely for that one class because my saddle seat jods were too tight and I couldn't hardly ride a 'flat' class with them under my chaps, I wasn't about to do a working class in them!

But, yea, have done the western-to-english or english-to-western change MANY times; either with different horses or the same horse.

[amwrider]

Shannon - try changing from full parade outfit bling to a tux for riding a Friesian for the next class. That was fun! With as tight as parade outfits are, no room to ride with two pairs of pants on!

We also did a parade horse (with silver glitter hooves - complete with the glue on the feet) to an English pleasure horse in 4 classes. That one I will never repeat - it also entailed having to go back to the barn because of the feet. No ringside tack change. Oh yeah - we did that with just two of us.

Can I borrow your magic wand?:001_tongue:

[kaitsmom]

A few years ago Kaitlin had to change from her regular suit to a parade suit to her formal for back to back to back classes at Twin Rivers. Now THAT was an adventure! We were just talking about that the other day...thank goodness for Grandma helping with the wardrobe while I switched horses. But it sure was alot of running back and forth to the barn!

[gotatrotter]

Going back to chime in my 2 cents regarding the original question here --

I prefer to see a pleasure eq rider attired in a daysuit rather than a tux. The tux absolutely has a more striking look but that should be reserved for the trimmed horse. If you're a pleasure eq rider, be proud of that and dress the part!

There are so many different divisions available. I'd rather see the traditions kept, but I am seeing more and more pleasure eq riders in tuxes where I am.

To me, things get too convoluted and watered down when there is so much blurring between what once were bright line distinctions.