So your child is hooked on horses and now wants to compete. At first, this is going to seem overwhelming. Being a soccer mom or dad is challenging, but let’s add more money, more stakes, more risk and a 1200 lb animal into the mix. Sounds horrible, but once you understand the world of horse showing you’ll find yourself trading that soccer-mom minivan in for a horse-mom truck and trailer.
But let’s take a step back. What do you need for your child’s first horse show? How can you cut expenses when you still aren’t sure your child will stick with it?
Western riders have a lot more power to put their own personal touches into their outfit than English riders. Walking into a Western show can be blinding- there is “bling” and sparkle everywhere. You do not have to empty your bank account to get your child prepared for their first western horse show.
Here is a head-to-toe guide for western riders going to their first horse show.
This is Western. If your child rides in the “little saddle without a horn”, click here. (Image Source)
**Please note, I am not endorsing products linked. They are meant to be a reference and are generally the lowest priced product I could find. I do not guarantee the quality of the product nor is it my opinion that these are the best products. I do opine that they are suitable for beginning to show **
Helmet and hair: Helmets are required for all riders under 18. There seems to be some sort of stigma against western riders wearing helmets. Even if your child is for whatever reason not required to wear a helmet- remember what they are doing and that unexpected things happen.
and as a parent you probably do not want to look up head injuries from horseback riding….Image Source
Typically, a rider would show in a black helmet. Most of my riders buy pink or purple helmets because they are cute. That draws attention because they stick out, but not necessarily for the right reasons.
Budget tip: If the helmet you are borrowing from the farm or the helmet you have purchased is not black and you want to look more polished, rather than buy a new helmet you can look for a helmet cover.
This one is $6.00. Saves you the $50 or more for a new helmet.
For those 18 and older, a hat is worn. Make sure it is clean and matches the color of the rest of your outfit. It does not have to be black, but it should match your color scheme.
Hair should ideally be kept in a low bun tucked neatly below the helmet or hat in order to keep it out of the way. I have seen very well hair-sprayed pony tails that work, but ultimately you are trying to keep you child’s hair out of their face and keep them from fiddling with their hair in the ring, so do whatever works best to prevent that.
Shirt:
I am going to present two options I will call “simple” and “bling” and explain how to choose based on your child’s riding. Regardless of the option, the shirt needs to be long-sleeved.
- Simple:
Plain Shirt: If your child does ranch riding, leadline, beginner walk/jog, the style tends to be more laid back. I would still suggest coming up with a color scheme (match with the saddle pad if possible). It should be buttoned/zipped up and should include a scarf.
Zip up $60.00 http://www.sstack.com/apparelboots_western-clothing_kids-clothing/cowgirl-royalty-girls-show-shirt/
Budget tip: Many of our students in ranch classes or our little leadliners just wear a collared, button-up plaid/solid shirt. To make this work it needs to look pressed and the rest of the outfit and gear has to look clean.
2. Bling:
Blingy shirts are for western pleasure classes. I really like slinkies- they come in a ton of patterns, colors, and more or less bling. I used to show in a black slinky with a leather blingy vest- still acceptable but no longer the trend. The style nowadays are blouses.
Pull-on. $60.00 https://hobbyhorseinc.com/roxy-girl-s-show-blouse
Pants:
For a beginner, a pair of nice jeans can work. Depending on your color scheme, I would suggest black jeans as they look sharper and tend to make the child’s riding position look better (does not attract as much attention if their leg is moving). If you are getting the blingy outfit though, go all in and get show pants.
Lowriders, $60.00 https://hobbyhorseinc.com/rider-apparel/youth-apparel/lowrider-show-pants
A belt should be worn along with a buckle. You can get a big flashy buckle online and in tack stores- or you can try to win one in a competition!
Budget tip: for “bling style” rhinestone covered belts from the mall can be worn alone without a belt buckle. Once your child moves up in the show world, I would get a buckle too.
$20.00 http://www.belts.com/wocoandrhbe.html
Chaps:
Make sure chaps are longer than the boot while the child is sitting on the horse.
Budget tip- forgo the chaps for beginners at their first shows. It is not necessary at the small, local shows. If your child’s first show happens to be a big, fancy show, try to borrow some if possible.
Boots:
My western boots were not made for walking, that is for sure. There are so many styles of boots now- square toe, pointed toe, tall, ankle, snakeskin, leather, synthetic leather…. all stylistic choices. Make sure they go with the outfit and ask the instructor if they are appropriate for the show ring. Much like the rest of the outfit, how blingy it needs to be depends on the style you are going for.
Accessories:
I feel like sparkly earrings are acceptable in the western ring. Aside from that, I notice a lot of makeup. Remember that your child should not go from 4 to 40 when putting the blush on…it looks cute but in a very creepy way.
The full look, going from least to most bling:
Remember, simple vs bling is not about what is prettier to that person, it is about the style the child will be showing. You won’t see barrel racers wearing western pleasure bling or vise versa. Ask your child’s instructor what classes they will be showing in and if that means to go more simple or more bling. Lastly, have fun! pick out a color scheme and patterns, go crazy!
More tips:
Ask around the barn to see if anyone has show clothes they have grown out of and want to sell. Host a tack/clothing swap.
Don’t worry about name brand at this point.
Try riding clothes on in store. Once you know the size/brand look to see if there are better deals online or on Ebay.
Don’t arrive at the horse show in your show clothes if you have to get the horse ready. Brush and saddle the horse before changing to keep your clothes nice and clean.
Ultimately, the judge should be looking at the rider and the horse, not the outfit. That being said, a good, clean outfit gives a finished look to the rider, whereas something that strays from the usual is distracting and therefore could affect the rider’s success.
Do you have any other budget tips? Questions? Leave a comment!
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