Like so many other things in the show ring, people think the clothes they wear is what will make them win. Silver on the saddle, fake tail, fancy show clothes, etc – it’s all unimportant. I have never met a single judge that said they placed rider one over rider two because they had more silver on their saddle, or that their shirt had more crystals on it.
But you also can’t enter the ring looking like you just left the barn after cleaning 20 stalls. Cleanliness and appropriateness are tops on my list. The right outfit can enhance or detract from your performance. The best shiniest prettiest outfit in the world will not cover up the fact that you can’t get your horse on the correct lead. And if you look like you just rolled in the manure before you entered the ring, it may be so distracting that I might notice that you’re a good rider. Plus, it’s unprofessional and disrespectful.
Riders should take pride in their appearance. They are auditioning. Yes, showing is about the abilities, but you have to showcase those abilities to get the most bang for your buck. If your hat looks like you left in in the horse trailer – with your horse in it, stomping all over it – then you’re going to give the appearance that you don’t care what anyone thinks. But if you’re paying for my opinion, shouldn’t you care what I think? And if you show up like that I’m going to think you don’t care – and if you don’t care, why should I?
