(no subject)
I'd post this on Equestrian, but I just don't feel like reading the flame war that would likely come from my opinions on this subject.
While flipping through the July USDF Connection magazine, yet again there were letters to the editor stating that dressage needs to change its dress code in order to be more appealing. Arguments were made for the need of white polos and dark breeches and "lightening up on the mandatory dress at least for levels below Fourth".
To that I say "What????"
Maybe I am in the minority here, but how does changing the color of breeches or allowing polos make the sport more friendly to outsiders? Sure, the dress then becomes something anyone could have in their closet, but then again, football, hockey, and baseball uniforms are not something that the average person has hanging in their closet.
Polos and breeches are allowed in shows where the TD calls no jacket. In 2008 in Ohio there was only one show I was at- and it was in March- that did not call no jackets. And come on, it's OHIO. We're not known for our triple digit weather.
If you wish to show in polos and whatever colored breeches, there are schooling shows where that is the required dress. And take a wild guess what I wear to schooling shows when I happen to show at one? That's right; I use my slate/black breeches (which, as a sidenote, cost just as much as my white breeches because the slate/black are Golden Dress, and the white are Pikeur) and either a farm polo, or one of C's polos. The kids at the farm have similar tastes in fashion at schooling shows; except they actually wear white breeches (the cheap ebay variety that I think at the most cost them $40) and a black farm polo. Next show, I'll take a picture of it; it's quite sharp. And of course, why does everyone from the farm do the polo/breeches route at schooling shows? Because we'd be SO out of place if we wore regular clothing, and I'd look like the biggest tool in existance if I wore my police uniform there.
The difference is the culture and experience level of the show. The riders at our local schooling shows, for the most part, would get blown out of the water at a recognized show. Our recognized show riders would most likely not survive a CDI. But, should we "dumb down" the dress code, when there are places like Ebay, Consignment tack stores, and friends around the industry that can sell their old clothing? Not everyone needs a top hat from Holland, or an outfit that came custom from Germany. Back in the day, I showed in an all Devon Aire outfit and I was damned happy to do so- BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO SHOW. The judge never said to me "eww, you have cheap clothing." In fact, because I presented myself well in a starter kit type outfit, braided my horse, and cleaned my tack I would actually get comments about "very nice turnout" in my test when I was a junior rider.
Proper dress can be done on a budget. It looks very nice to be in a clean, pressed black and white outfit, with a properly fitted helmet or top hat. Granted, on my head a top hat looks better than any of my other helmet or hat choices so it is my preference, but I have seen people look very professional in helmets.
(I will also not get in to the entire helmet requirement debaucle that is going through USDF now as well. I can see both sides; under 18 definately should be required to wear a helmet, but I cannot see the US being the only country to require helmets at CDI's... that would not get anywhere with the FEI)
While flipping through the July USDF Connection magazine, yet again there were letters to the editor stating that dressage needs to change its dress code in order to be more appealing. Arguments were made for the need of white polos and dark breeches and "lightening up on the mandatory dress at least for levels below Fourth".
To that I say "What????"
Maybe I am in the minority here, but how does changing the color of breeches or allowing polos make the sport more friendly to outsiders? Sure, the dress then becomes something anyone could have in their closet, but then again, football, hockey, and baseball uniforms are not something that the average person has hanging in their closet.
Polos and breeches are allowed in shows where the TD calls no jacket. In 2008 in Ohio there was only one show I was at- and it was in March- that did not call no jackets. And come on, it's OHIO. We're not known for our triple digit weather.
If you wish to show in polos and whatever colored breeches, there are schooling shows where that is the required dress. And take a wild guess what I wear to schooling shows when I happen to show at one? That's right; I use my slate/black breeches (which, as a sidenote, cost just as much as my white breeches because the slate/black are Golden Dress, and the white are Pikeur) and either a farm polo, or one of C's polos. The kids at the farm have similar tastes in fashion at schooling shows; except they actually wear white breeches (the cheap ebay variety that I think at the most cost them $40) and a black farm polo. Next show, I'll take a picture of it; it's quite sharp. And of course, why does everyone from the farm do the polo/breeches route at schooling shows? Because we'd be SO out of place if we wore regular clothing, and I'd look like the biggest tool in existance if I wore my police uniform there.
The difference is the culture and experience level of the show. The riders at our local schooling shows, for the most part, would get blown out of the water at a recognized show. Our recognized show riders would most likely not survive a CDI. But, should we "dumb down" the dress code, when there are places like Ebay, Consignment tack stores, and friends around the industry that can sell their old clothing? Not everyone needs a top hat from Holland, or an outfit that came custom from Germany. Back in the day, I showed in an all Devon Aire outfit and I was damned happy to do so- BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO SHOW. The judge never said to me "eww, you have cheap clothing." In fact, because I presented myself well in a starter kit type outfit, braided my horse, and cleaned my tack I would actually get comments about "very nice turnout" in my test when I was a junior rider.
Proper dress can be done on a budget. It looks very nice to be in a clean, pressed black and white outfit, with a properly fitted helmet or top hat. Granted, on my head a top hat looks better than any of my other helmet or hat choices so it is my preference, but I have seen people look very professional in helmets.
(I will also not get in to the entire helmet requirement debaucle that is going through USDF now as well. I can see both sides; under 18 definately should be required to wear a helmet, but I cannot see the US being the only country to require helmets at CDI's... that would not get anywhere with the FEI)