I was always told you might be poor but you can be clean. This was translated to taking what I had and being as presentable as possible (in regards to riding). I poured over George Morris’s jumping clinic taking his criticism as gospel. When riding in public I was never without shiny tack, my stirrup leathers tucked in, outfitted in a collared shirt, belt and hairnet.
As I started keeping my horse at home my dress code of sorts has been relaxed.Very relaxed.
So I sent him an email to ease my mind –would a polo tucked into jeans be OK for chores?
As I pack for next week, I am leaving the breeches, tall boots and new polos at home. In go t-shirts, jeans and half chaps.
I have not decided about the hairnet yet.
Speaking of hairnets. Buy one. Please. The last few years at competitions and clinics, I have been horrified by the lack of hairnets. It makes me twitch.
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| Hairnets. Just do it. |
I still believe this should be the standard outfit anytime riding “in public” (i.e. lessons –yes even with your local-yocal trainer, xc schools, clinics and schooling shows).
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| George is excused from the hairnet rule. But Gloves? Where are the Gloves? |
- Clean, well-fitted tack
- Clean horse
- White pad
- Helmet
- Hairnet (for the love of god remember the hairnet!)
- Belt
- Collared shirt tucked-in
- Breeches
- Shined tall boots –maybe if uber casual half chaps
- Gloves
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| I have this Outfit! |
As I started keeping my horse at home my dress code of sorts has been relaxed.Very relaxed.
My husband accuses me of dressing like Napoleon Dynamite.
My revelation that I will soon be riding with Peter Atkins at his farm in Florida also brought out turnout worries –what does one wear when training with a member of the Australian Eventing Team, World Games competitor and all around awesome coach? I mean I had the riding outfit down but what about chore clothes? Certainly Peter would not want a Napoleon Dynamite doppelganger representing his farm!?
So I sent him an email to ease my mind –would a polo tucked into jeans be OK for chores?
And his response was to shoot back a picture as he was setting out to ride.
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| Peter -please don't kill me for sharing this |
I think I am going to fit in just fine.
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| Riding at home....green, pink and red match. Right? |
As I pack for next week, I am leaving the breeches, tall boots and new polos at home. In go t-shirts, jeans and half chaps.
I have not decided about the hairnet yet.
ROFLMAO. You'll fit in just fine.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I once took an inventory of all the colors I wore when heading out to do barn work (in the winter) and, well... it was... let's say... excessive... Have a blast!
ReplyDeleteI always wear a hairnet, even at home..but my hair is long and crazy and annoying otherwise!
ReplyDeleteLOL!!!!! That is awesome. I love Peter! :-D
ReplyDeleteLOL this makes me laugh. The beginning of your post I would have guessed you were a hunter/jumper not an eventer. Maybe Peter will help you out in your over obsession with appearance. Listen when you are a mother of three small children trying to squeeze in your dreams of eventing the last thing on my mind when I get to a schooling show is wearing a freaking hairnet. I consider it a good day if I get to brush off the mud from my horse, tack and boots and remember to put on a bra. I guess I just don't have enough time to notice those details but that kind of stuff is not all that important really. But then again I am not one to follow along with the social norm. I am more of a, if it's functional, comfortable and safe I am good, kinda gal. So next time you see me at CAF don't look cause I will for sure be one of those who makes you shutter ;). Though I will probably bust out a hairnet this year when I compete in our first recognized event. Yay for conformity!!!
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